12 | UPDATES
Northern Ireland’s Airports Implement New Security Changes For Passengers
This move follows the Department of Transport’s easing of restrictions for airports with new 3D scanners, a change which all UK airports were required to undergo by Summer 2025
THE 100ml liquid limit for cabin
baggage has been
removed across all three of Northern Ireland’s airports. Passengers travelling through Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport, and City of Derry Airport are now permitted to carry up to two litres of liquid, gels, and pastes in their hand luggage.
This move follows the Department of Transport’s easing
of restrictions for
airports with new 3D scanners, a change which all UK airports were required to undergo by Summer 2025.
Passengers are no longer required to place liquids in plastic bags, with liquids and electronics now permitted to stay in cabin baggage when passing through security. A spokesperson
International Airport highlighted that,
for Belfast “Passengers
can carry up to two litres of liquids
through their hand
luggage as advised on the website.
These regulations
speed up the security process and improve passenger experience at the Airport.” Travellers are also advised
that these new liquid rules may not be in place at their return airport, and to check security requirements for their return journey. A spokesperson
for Belfast
City Airport highlighted, “As a result of ongoing investment in our facilities and associated security
upgrades that took
place in late 2024, passengers travelling through Belfast City Airport can now carry up to 2 litres of liquids, gels, and pastes in their cabin baggage
In regards to what the effect this change will have on
passengers, Belfast City Airport highlighted, “this will
provide further convenience for our passengers.”
Liquid restriction have also eased
at City of Derry Airport, Tracy Duffy, Security Manager at City of Derry
Airport, has outlined that the airport is fully operational with the new technologically advanced CT Cabin Baggage Scanners in place in Airport Security.
US Air Industry Sounds Alarm Over Dublin Airport Passenger Cap
THE Irish Government is under increasing pressure from North American aviation leaders to urgently scrap the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, a move that could have far-reaching consequences for transatlantic travel from the island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland.
A leading North American airline group, Airlines for America
(A4A), has warned that the €32 million-per-year cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport may breach key EU-US open-skies agreements, agreements which underpin direct transatlantic flights operated by Aer Lingus. Speaking to international media, Keith Glatz, A4A’s Senior Vice President for International Affairs, cautioned that unless the cap is lifted within the coming months, the US Department of Transportation could be forced to limit the number of destinations that Irish airlines, mainly Aer Lingus, can serve in the United States. “A couple of months, not a year, is what’s left to get this resolved,” Mr Glatz warned, indicating that action from the US side could come swiftly if the situation remains unresolved.
Although Mr Glatz was clear he was not representing the US
government directly, he
highlighted that Washington traditionally responds to treaty
breaches by imposing reciprocal limits on air access. If enforced, this would disproportionately affect Aer Lingus, the only Irish carrier operating regular transatlantic flights, and could disrupt key routes used by Northern Ireland travellers accessing US destinations via Dublin.
This development comes as Dublin Airport continues to serve as a vital hub for Northern Ireland passengers, particularly those from the Belfast region seeking convenient transatlantic connections. Any restrictions could undermine the airport’s role as a regional gateway to North America.
The cap was originally imposed in 2007 as a planning condition linked to the construction of Terminal 2, aimed at mitigating local traffic concerns. However, aviation bodies and airlines argue the restriction is now outdated and economically damaging, particularly in light of post-pandemic recovery and
Dublin Airport Night Flight Expansion Approved
NEW planning permission has been granted allowing a significant increase in night- time flight operations at Dublin Airport. The planning approval, granted
rising demand for long-haul travel. Meanwhile, a High Court ruling has temporarily suspended enforcement of the cap pending a European legal review, initiated by Aer Lingus and Ryanair with A4A as a supporting party. That case, however, focuses on competition law rather than the broader international treaty implications. While Aer Lingus hasn’t commented directly on the potential US sanctions, the airline has repeatedly stressed that the cap threatens significant economic disruption. A4A believes lifting it could spark renewed transatlantic growth, boosting tourism and investment on both sides of the Atlantic.
by Ireland’s national planning
authority, An Coimisiún Pleanála, means the airport can now increase its average night-time flights from 65 to 95 between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am. For travellers from Northern Ireland using Dublin Airport for long-haul or early-morning European flights, this change could bring more options and smoother travel planning. One of the key changes involves the airport’s second runway, known as the North Runway, which was previously off-limits for night-time use. The new ruling allows operations on the North Runway until midnight and from 6:00am, adding extra capacity during key early and late hours. To balance the increase in
flight activity with community concerns, a ‘Noise Quota Scheme’ will be introduced. This means only quieter aircraft will be permitted to operate on the North Runway during night-time hours. Any aircraft exceeding set noise thresholds will not be allowed to take off or land at night. In total, a cap of 35,672 night-
time flights per year has been imposed, spread across a 364-
EASYJET launched its 2025 onboard summer collection to support UNICEF’s Children’s Emergency Fund to ensure the most vulnerable children and families get the vital support and help they desperately need. Currently, approximately 1 in 6 children – almost half a billion in total – live in areas affected by conflict such as Ukraine and Sudan. Since 2012, easyJet customers and crew have raised over £17 million in donations from the beginning of its partnership with UNICEF. Millions of easyJet customers
flying through the peak summer season across 35 countries, were able to donate on board in any currency to this worthy cause. Thanks to their generous donations, easyJet customers can make a world of difference by supporting UNICEF and its partners to deliver immediate, life-saving support to children and families affected by humanitarian crises such as natural disasters and ongoing conflict. EasyJet’s dedicated cabin crew will be collecting donations during their inflight service, meaning customers can easily donate at the
same time as purchasing refreshments onboard. The price of a £3.20 breakfast tea
could provide 400 water purification tablets for families to purify water in emergency situations,
when
the fresh water supply may be compromised – helping to purify over 400 litres of water.
www.nitravelnews.com EU Confirms Launch Date of New Border System
THE EU’s new biometric border system, the Entry-Exit system (EES) is expected to come into effect from Sunday 12th October 2025. The new EES system will be phased out progressively across all EU borders with the system set to be fully operational at all external EU borders by 10th April 2026.
Non-EU citizens will be required to submit fingerprints and facial biometrics when they
enter the EU for the first time following the 12th of October. This data will then be stored on file for three years.
Children aged under 12 are not required to provide fingerprints.
September/October 2025
EasyJet Launches On board Summer Collection to Support UNICEF’s Emergency Work
day period. The commission says this limit is designed to safeguard the well-being of nearby residents while allowing for continued growth at Dublin Airport. Importantly,
the combination
of a flight cap and noise control measures was chosen specifically to prevent the negative effects of an unchecked rise in night-time flights, protecting both the local environment and quality of life for surrounding communities. With enhanced night-time
flight capacity and extended runway access, passengers could benefit from more flexible flight times,
reduced congestion, and
improved connectivity, especially for transatlantic and early morning European routes.
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