It is also known as Aldergrove, after the village of that name lying immediately to the west of the airport.

Belfast International shares its runways with the Royal Air Force base RAF Aldergrove, which otherwise has its own facilities.

Nearly 5.3 million passengers (2.2% of passengers at all UK airports) travelled through the airport in 2008, a 1.7 million (47.1%) increase since 2002. Belfast International is the 2nd busiest airport in Ireland in terms of passenger numbers, after Dublin Airport and it is the busiest airport in the province of Ulster.

It is the larger of two airports in Belfast (the other being George Best Belfast City Airport). The airport is owned by Abertis, the same company which owns Stockholm Skavsta, Cardiff Airport and is concessionary to Orlando Sanford International Airport and London Luton.

The airport operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is not subject to noise abatement procedures, significant environmental constraints or airspace limitations.