NORTHERN Ireland is experiencing an unprecedented boom in air travel, according to new figures released by Belfast International Airport.
The growth in travellers has prompted the airport's management to consider expanding the 108 bedroom hotel which it operates with a joint venture partner at the Aldergrove site.
The figures were enhanced by growth on the Stansted and Amsterdam routes and the impact of the new Aer Lingus service to New York, according to the airport's managing director, Mr Jim Dornan.
Passenger numbers for the first three months of this year were up 13 per cent on the same period last year despite the ending of the IRA ceasefire on February 9th. The number of people using the airport in the first quarter of this year was also up almost 20 per cent on the first three months of 1994 before the ceasefire was called.
"These quarterly figures are very positive and give a clear indication of public confidence in Northern Ireland," Mr Dornan said. Cargo traffic was also up 17 per cent during the first three months. About 2.5 million passengers are expected to use the airport during the current financial year, easily a record number, he added.
Mr Dornan said the new Aer Lingus service from Belfast to New York had "a very good winter, fully vindicating the airline's decision to continue with flights through the lean months."
Figures for the KLM daily flight to and from Amsterdam were up 24 per cent on the same period last year while passenger traffic between Belfast and London Stansted has doubled in the year since flights started last March.
The airport, which is owned by its management team, is considering a further investment in the £5 million Aldergrove Airport Hotel, which is part of the terminal complex. The three star hotel, which was opened three years ago, is currently enjoying very high occupancy rates", according to Mr Dornan.
The airport is considering further investment in the hotel, which could include expanding the number of rooms, improving its conference facilities, and adding a swimming pool/health club.
