Belfast International Airport

At Piperhill Construction, we take pride in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in construction — and nothing proves that more than our recent £25 million project at Belfast International Airport.

This was the most complex and ambitious build we’ve undertaken to date. As the main contractor, we were tasked with delivering a two-storey terminal extension and a completely reimagined security hall — all while the airport remained fully operational.
The new security facility wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a full transformation. Purpose-built to accommodate next-generation C3 baggage scanners and full-body scanners, the space now enables passengers to move through security faster and more efficiently — no more removing liquids or laptops from hand luggage. The brief was about more than just functionality — it was about future-proofing one of Northern Ireland’s key travel hubs.

Delivering this level of work in a live airport environment required meticulous planning and a phased approach. At one point, we completed a partial handover of the security hall mid-project, prioritising essential M&E systems so that the space could open to the public while construction continued elsewhere. We even kept the Travelex currency exchange facility fully operational during the works and temporarily supported the structure behind the existing departures lounge — all to ensure the passenger experience remained seamless.

Behind the scenes, this involved a major demolition package, a new steel frame, precast concrete floors finished with terrazzo, and full mechanical and electrical fit-out. Our team — up to 100 strong on-site each day — worked hand in hand with stakeholders including VINCI Airports, airport management, emergency services, and air traffic control to ensure every element was delivered safely and to spec.

We’re incredibly proud of how this project has elevated the passenger journey — and of our team’s ability to deliver world-class results under time-sensitive and logistically challenging conditions. For us, it wasn’t just about bricks and mortar; it was about setting a new benchmark for what Piperhill can deliver.