Planespotting Belfast — EGAA
Belfast International — still called Aldergrove by most locals — lies about 11 miles north-west of the city near Lough Neagh and is Northern Ireland's main airport for leisure and low-cost flying. Do not confuse it with George Best Belfast City by the docks; this is the larger field with the longer runway. It has two runways: the main 07/25, about 2,780 m, and the shorter 17/35, which comes into use mainly in strong crosswinds or during works on the main runway. Runway 25 is the usual direction, so most spotting happens under the approach east of the airport, in the lanes around Killead. The southern part of the site is the former RAF Aldergrove, now a military helicopter station, which is why security around the perimeter is tighter than at most UK regional airports. Expect easyJet and Jet2 as the backbone, DHL freighters on the cargo apron, and a steady stream of military and police helicopters. Northern Irish light changes fast — be ready for breaks in the cloud.
- VIR24M B789 40 975 ft
- WJA1 B789 36 000 ft
- EZY29KT A20N
- EZY97VZ A320
- CFE62N E190
Conditions right now
Runways
- 07/25 RWY 07 2,784 × 45 m · 9,134 × 148 ft asphalt
- 17/35 1,890 × 45 m · 6,201 × 148 ft asphalt
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody78%
- Cargo7%
- Military5%
- Bizjet4%
- Turboprop3%
- GA3%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Killead Church, Drennan's Road (runway 25 approach)
The standard Belfast International photo spot. Aircraft on finals to 25, roughly half a mile from touchdown, pass close by to the north of the church, giving clean air-to-ground shots with Antrim farmland below. On a sunny winter day, the low sun produces some of the best light you will get here.
- Getting there
- Drive east from the terminal on Airport Road towards Belfast, past Ballyrobin Country House, then turn right into Drennan's Road, which runs between the approach lights. Don't stop in the no-stopping zone directly under the approach. Continue to Killead Church at the far end and use the church car park or the gate opposite the church hall, as long as you are not blocking anyone.
- Best time
- Runway 25 arrivals, the usual direction. You face north towards the approach, so the sun is behind you through most of the day.
- Lens
- 200–300 mm.
Killead Road near the A26 (runway 25 short finals)
A short public side road leading to a few houses and a warehouse, just before Killead Road meets the Nutts Corner–Antrim road (A26). Aircraft pass on short finals almost overhead — closer than at the church but at a steep angle, so this is for underside and close-pass shots rather than classic side-on frames. Hedges now block the view of the threshold.
- Getting there
- From Killead Church turn left onto Killead Road, away from the airport; after about 300 yards, just before the A26, take the public road on the left. Park considerately without blocking residents' access.
- Best time
- Runway 25 arrivals; best around midday and afternoon.
- Lens
- 24–105 mm.
Cargo apron walk from the terminal
A quick way to log the DHL freighters and anything else on the cargo ramp without a car. The view is through fences and airfield equipment, so it is for registrations rather than photos.
- Getting there
- Walk left out of the terminal, past the Maldron Hotel to the long-stay car park entrance, then down through the car park towards the airfield past the car hire offices. Only stop briefly.
- Best time
- Morning and evening, when the overnight freighters are on stand.
- Lens
- Binoculars or a long lens for reading registrations.
Departure lounge windows (airside)
If you are flying, the area after security has views across the apron and onto runway 25, and most aircraft taxi past the windows at some point. The international departure gates give the best views; bizjets on the GA apron are mostly out of sight.
- Getting there
- Passengers only, after security. The old landside viewing lounge has long been closed.
- Best time
- Any time you are passing through; afternoon light works best on the apron side.
- Lens
- 24–200 mm.
Crosshill Road (runway 35 threshold)
A hillside road south of the airport looking down over the threshold of runway 35. The cross runway is used only occasionally, so this spot is for the days when 35 is in use. You are close to the military station, so keep your visit short and stay outside any signed control zone.
- Getting there
- From Nutts Corner take the road signposted to Crumlin, turn off at the Manse Road junction, and Crosshill Road is the first on the right (signed for Crosshill B&B). Park on the wide verge before the restricted area.
- Best time
- Only when runway 35 is active, usually in strong north-westerly winds. Check before you go.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
easyJet has a large base here, and Jet2, Ryanair and TUI Airways add A320-family and 737 flying, with summer sun routes and winter ski charters at weekends in January and February. The cargo apron is busy with DHL and its partner operators, typically arriving in the evening and leaving in the morning. Business jets use a separate apron in the north-west corner. The former RAF Aldergrove site is home to Army Air Corps helicopters and Islander or Defender patrol aircraft, and the PSNI air support unit also flies from the airport. RAF transports such as the C-17 still visit occasionally.
What actually flew over Belfast in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- A20N 28.6 %
- B77W 14.3 %
- A319 14.3 %
- B788 14.3 %
- B738 14.3 %
- A320 14.3 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Belfast?
Use the Spotterra live map to see what is flying over Belfast and Lough Neagh right now — airline flights, freighters and helicopters with type, registration and route where they broadcast ADS-B.
Which runway does Belfast International use?
Usually runway 25, with arrivals over Killead east of the airport. Runway 07 is used in easterly winds, and the shorter 17/35 only in strong crosswinds or during works on the main runway.
Is there a spectator area at Belfast International?
No. The old viewing lounge in the terminal closed years ago. Passengers get views from the departure lounge; everyone else uses the public lanes under the runway 25 approach.
Can I photograph the military side?
Avoid it. The southern perimeter road towards the army helicopter station is covered by cameras, and lingering there will get you stopped by military security or the PSNI. The approach spots east of the airport are fine if you follow the signs.
Spotterra watches the sky over Belfast
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