Not content with an award-winning terminal, management at George Best Belfast City Airport have just overseen the first stage in a £6 million upgrade of terminal facilities as they strive to stay ahead of the curve in catering for future passenger growth. Work on the privately-funded project has already begun with the new external reconfiguration of the drop off and collection area. More eagle-eyed visitors will have noticed the absence of the escalator in the main terminal concourse signalling the commencement of the internal works.

The new development will include the relocation of the departure lounge to the first floor, whilst the retail, food and beverage offering airside will increase by a massive 60 per cent. As Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of George Best Belfast City Airport, explained the works in part are in response to changing passenger behaviour. ‘In the past passengers waited to the last minute before going through security to board their flights. However over recent years we have seen that reverse, with travellers spending more time airside, before boarding their flight. Consequently we will shortly be able to offer greater choice airside.’ he said. ‘The passenger is central to all our decision-making. We want their experience of Belfast City to be hassle-free and memorable for all the right reasons.’ The new airside offering will include a Bushmills bar and a St George’s market-themed restaurant as the airport taps into the popularity of two of Northern Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions. Security search facilities will also be enhanced.

Mr Ambrose added: ‘At peak times during the week we’ve noticed longer than average queues developing and we’re acting quickly to resolve this. The security search facilities will also be expanded to reduce waiting times and to provide a more comfortable and efficient transition for our passengers to the departure lounge.’ The development works continue following a highly successful front of house re-configuration. Three times as many passengers per week are now using the airport’s new enhanced drop off and pick-up facilities than prior to the improvements. Belfast City Airport’s owners, ABN AMRO Global Infrastructure Fund, has committed to an extensive project to improve the customer service experience at the airport. The terminal upgrade is due for completion in November 2009 and the airport will be taking the necessary steps to ensure the works do not affect the daily operations of the airport. ‘When our terminal was built in 2001, it was future proofed to ensure that any expansion of facilities could be accommodated within the current building,’ continued Mr Ambrose. ‘These are exciting times for Northern Ireland, which is rapidly becoming a tourist hotspot. We see Belfast City as instrumental in this growth by providing visitors with a direct service to the heart of the city whilst providing an excellent service to our growing customer base.’

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Refreshing, original and totally kitsch, Liberty Blue is an awardwinning, one-of-a-kind fashion boutique located in the heart of the city centre. Beautiful dresses, gorgeous accessories and fabulous shoes adorn every available space in this Aladdin’s Cave of fashion. Liberty Blue prides itself on introducing wonderful original fashion from around the world, concentrating on smaller lesserknown labels ensuring originality. Liberty Blue, 9 Lombard Street, Belfast, Co Antrim BT1 1RB Email: libertyblueuk@aol.com Tel: (028) 9043 7745

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Figures released from George Best Belfast City Airport show total passenger numbers during April 2009 were up almost 3% on April 2008; significantly better than most other airports in the UK. In a recent visit to the airport, the former Lord Mayor of Belfast Tom Hartley told ‘City Life’: ‘I am delighted to see an increase in passenger numbers flying from the George Best Belfast City Airport. The plans for the reconfiguration of the terminal when complete will be an asset to our continuing tourism aspirations. ‘Despite the global economic downturn, tourism is one of the most important and growing aspects of our economy. ‘Moreover, the aggressive marketing of Belfast over the past number of years as a vibrant, exciting destination for both business and leisure travelers has contributed to the continuing rise of visitors to Belfast and it’s encouraging to see George Best Belfast City Airport assisting the development of the Belfast brand.’ Situated just 5 minutes from the city centre, the location of the airport is seen as a major factor in its success among leisure and business travelers alike. Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive, George Best Belfast City Airport added: ‘For many, George Best Belfast City Airport is their first experience of what Belfast has to offer. First impressions last and it is vital we have a product that sets the tone for the rest of their visit.’

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To mark the second half of 2009, Mazda has significantly enhanced its range of ‘Scrappage Programme’ offers. Customers trading in a car of 10 years old or more can now benefit from extra savings, ranging from a total of £2,000 minimum up to £6,000 maximum on some models at Lindsay Mazda.
“Now that the Government-backed scrappage scheme for older cars is running smoothly, Mazda has taken the opportunity to review the range of supporting allowances to ensure it is offering customers the best possible deals for the summer,” comments Chris Kelly, Sales Manager at Lindsay Mazda Lisburn.
“These improved Mazda allowances, together with our products’ core attributes – stylish design, generous specifications, Zoom-Zoom driving pleasure and legendary reliability – plus our competitive finance packages, make purchasing a Mazda a uniquely attractive proposition this summer,” adds Michael McCulloch, Sales Manager at Lindsay Mazda Mallusk.

To find out more about the Mazda range or to arrange a test-drive, please call Lindsay Mazda Lisburn on 028 9260 0200 or Lindsay Mazda Mallusk on 028 9084 7940. www.lindsaymazda.co.uk

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The George Best Belfast City Airport (GBB CA) Community Fund has announced its first Community Fund Project. The Airport in association with the Energy for Children Charitable Trust donated £4000 to the Helping Hands Community group in Tullycarnet. The funding will help provide some muchneeded new facilities for the children involved.

The group has about 30 members and meets every Wednesday at Tullycarnet Community Centre. It acts as a support to children who have special needs and suffer from the likes of Autism and Asperger’s syndrome, both of which can cause communication and emotional problems. As a result of the funding Helping Hands recently took special delivery of sensory integration equipment and toys, all of which have been recommended by a physiotherapist. These materials will now play a key role in helping with the quality of social and personal interaction amongst the children who attend the group. Julie Linstrom, a volunteer at Helping Hands, welcomed the funding by saying: “Getting the new equipment means we can now do a lot more with the children that we see here every week. It is great that we are able to offer new activities, each of which will teach them a new skill and encourage them to interact withothers.”

Michelle Hatfield, Human Resources Director from GBBCA had recently visited Helping Hands to meet the children and see how the funding has helped. She commented: “We at the airport are delighted to be able to support the Energy for children Charitable Trust through our community Fund. It is great to see how these children have benefited from our support and indeed how the group here in Tullycarnet is continual to help parents from throughout the east of the city.” Volunteers at the group also invited along DUP councillor Gareth Robinson to thank him for putting them in touch with Energy for Children. He was pleased to see a lot of happy little faces on his visit as he reflected: “It is great to see local companies supporting the local community her in East Belfast. I have been aware of the fantastic work done by Helping Hands in Tullycarnet for some time now and it would be difficult to find a more deserving cause.”

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Belfast Welcome Centre is celebrating after winning the Tourist Information Centre award at the 31st annual Northern Ireland Tourism Awards organised by Northern Ireland Tourist Board and sponsored by Diageo NI. The Belfast Welcome Centre is one of three Tourist Information Centres (TIC) managed by Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, also comprising of Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport TICs. The three tourist information centres provide information for anyone living in or visiting the city and are funded by Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board as part of a network of 31 Tourist Information Centres throughout Northern Ireland.

Tourist Information Centre – The award for Tourist Information Centre went to Belfast Welcome Centre. Pictured are Councillor William Humphrey, Mary Jo McCanny, Belfast Welcome Centre and Alistair McGowan, NITB.

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George Best Belfast City Airport (GBBCA) Human Resources Director, Michelle Hatfield, visited Victoria Park Primary School – the airport’s adopted school – recently to take part in the school’s sponsored walk. Children and teachers took some time out of the classroom to complete the walk over two days. The children received signed certificates of achievement supplied by GBBCA for completing the walk and all the funds raised will go towards their new school facilities. Michelle Hatfield told ‘City Life’: ‘It’s initiatives such as this that help us build upon our strong relationship with Victoria Park.

‘It is important to us that we engage with our young people and teaching staff. Through our strong partnerships with local schools we are showing we are passionate about the opportunities that exist to make a real impact on the generation of tomorrow.’ Ruth Kimbley and Stephen Patton – also of GBBCA – attended the Victoria Park Primary 7 leaver’s service and prize-giving ceremony. The ceremony took place in the Strand Presbyterian Church where pupils, teachers and families were entertained by the school choir and musicians. Andrea Gourley, principal of Victoria Park Primary School, acknowledged the relationship between the school and GBBCA in her speech: ‘We thank GBBCA for their support over this term and over the past years,’ she said. ‘As part of the same community we are delighted at the partnership that exists between Victoria Park and the primary school. Each year demonstrates increased support and stronger relationships built and we look forward to continuing this when our new term starts in September.’ The airport donated a GBBCA Cup for Science and Technology to a very deserving Claire Laverty.

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