Drop-off ban arrives at airport

A covered walkway has been erected at the airport

Motorists will not be able to drop off passengers outside the terminal at George Best Belfast City Airport from tomorrow.

The airport has said this is to prevent a terrorist attack similar to that at Glasgow Airport in June 2007.

From Thursday, anyone wanting to drop off or collect a passenger must enter a designated area within the airport's short stay car park.

Drivers doing so must leave within ten minutes or be charged.

A covered walkway has been erected to provide shelter from the short stay car park to the terminal.

"Whilst we appreciate that the public no longer have access to the front of the terminal, our car to gate distance remains one of the shortest in the UK," said Mark Beattie, director of operations at George Best Belfast City Airport.

Additional staff will be ever present at the new drop-off and pick-up area and assistance for front of terminal access shall be provided to those passengers with reduced mobility Mark Beattie

"The changes to the front of house represent a £750,000 investment which brings the airport into line with Department for Transport regulations.

"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience during the construction of the new facilities and thank our passengers for their patience whilst we have made these upgrades.

"Whilst there will no longer be any public access to the front of the terminal, additional staff will be ever present at the new drop-off and pick-up area and assistance for front of terminal access shall be provided to those passengers with reduced mobility."