IRELAND'S busiest international airport is left behind by Belfast International say Cheapflights.co.uk

Dublin airport, Ireland's busiest international airport, came joint third with City of Derry behind Belfast City and leader Belfast International Airport in a recent poll of Ireland's favourite airports conducted by Cheapflights.co.uk.

Belfast International was the clear winner due to its reliable transport links, efficient check-in and security checks.

The final statistics detailed that 39 per cent of respondents preferred Belfast International to the much larger gateway in the Republic, which received a low 11 per cent of the vote. Following a close second to Belfast International was Belfast City with 30 per cent. Rounding up the list were City of Derry (11 per cent) and Cork (3 per cent).

Only six per cent of travellers cited the selection of shops and duty-free boutiques as a factor when selecting their preferred departure point, whereas 21 per cent valued the variety of restaurants, bars and cafés on offer.

David Soskin, Chief Executiove of Cheapflights says: "Irish consumers are savvy travellers and look for speed and efficiency when planning their next holiday. Bells and whistles might make the time go faster, but when it comes to the quality of the experience it's a quick queue and a fast-moving security scan that makes all the difference.

"After all, when your child is screaming, what will make your life easier? A designer boutique or a check-in queue that moves rapidly"