Santa, the Grinch, pets and people reunite for Christmas at NI's airports

Deirdre has short brown hair and is wearing a Santa hat. She has a beige coat on. She is holding her dog Skye is blonde and wearing a red Christmas jumper. — Image caption,
Deirdre Mahon and her dog, Skye, waiting for her son to return home

Keiron Tourish & Kevin Sharkey

BBC News NI

20 December 2024

It is the most wonderful time of the year to work at an airport, according to the managing director of City of Derry Airport.

Steve Frazer is gearing up for a busy weekend as people arrive home for Christmas.

Thousands of people are expected to pass through Northern Ireland's airports this weekend as people travel home for Christmas.

"We see everything from Santas to Grinches and family pets brought to the airport to welcome people home for Christmas," he told BBC News NI.

"Hugs and kisses everywhere - it is really lovely to see."

Steve is smiling at the camera and has short brown/grey hair. He has a greyish goatee style beard. He is wearing a navy jumper with a blue collar of a shirt poking out of the top.

Steve Frazer says this is the best time of year to work in an airport

Deirdre Mahon took the family pet dog, Skye, to wait for her son's arrival.

"I'm so excited to see him as he's here for Christmas and will be staying until the 30th," she said.

"And my daughter Eimear is back from Brighton on Monday so it'll be a lovely family Christmas.

"It's been a tough year as I lost my husband Mark in April. It's an emotional time for all of us but we are determined to have a great Christmas because that's what Mark would have wanted."

Deirdre has short brown hair. She has a beige coat on. She is holding her dog Skye is blonde and wearing a red Christmas jumper. Odhran is wearing a Santa hat and has dark framed glasses and stubble. He his wearing a brown coat and beige woolly jumper.

Deirdre, her son Odhran and Skye

Kate McConnell and her boyfriend have travelled from Austin, Texas.

Following the 15-hour journey, she said she received the the "warmest welcome" in the airport.

She said: "I only get to see Aoife, my dear cousin, every two years or so, it was a warm welcome and it brings me to tears every time we come back together."

It is her boyfriend's first time in the city.

Zhenhua Pavetti admitted he may struggle with the Derry accent but is looking forward to watching Derry Girls while he is here.

"I am in a completely different world right now, but I am excited," he said.

Kate is on the right, with ginger hair and a fringe. She is wearing a black hoodie and green leggings. Aoife and Zhenhua are hugging and wearing Santa hats.

Kate and Zhenhua are welcomed home by cousin Aoife

Sinead Kelly and her husband Malachy have arrived from Dubai with their 11-week-old baby.

Grandparents Jack and Bernadette Scott ran to them as they entered the arrivals area.

"We are glad to be in our home city and we have no more travelling to do, and we have our taxi drivers here to take us home," Sinead said.

Jack is n the left wearing a black coat, Bernadette is wearing a purple coat and has shoulder length ginger hair. Sinead is holding baby Niamh, who is dressed in pink and wearing a floral hat. Sinead is wearing a beige cardigan. Malachy, right is wearing a blue hoodie and has short ginger hair.

Sinead Kelly and her husband Malachy have arrived from Dubai with their 11-week-old baby

The long haul home at Belfast City

The piano man played Christmas songs as passengers arrived at the airport on their way home.

Workers and students were among those arriving from different parts of the UK to spend Christmas with family on both sides of the border.

Some of those arriving this morning had just completed the last leg of long-haul journeys from different parts of the world.

A choir continued to set the tone as passengers laden with luggage and Christmas boxes were greeted by relatives and friends.

Mary, left, is wearing a black cap and has long brown hair. She is wearing a black coat and white sweatshirt. Caoimhe is wearing a cream hoodie and has brown hair tied back. Mark, right, is wearing a flat cap and thin framed glasses. He has a red body warmer on and a white zip up jumper underneath.

Caoimhe Brogam and her parents Mark and Mary Boid

Caoimhe Brogam flew in from Abu Dhabi and will be heading home to Holywood.

"It is a bit colder here, but it is good to be home," she said.

Her dad Mark also lives in the Middle East and has made the journey home for Christmas.

"Christmas is very important for family - we have two grandchildren and we are looking forward to spending time as a family," he said.

Caoimhe's mum Mary added: "Home is always home and it is nice to be back together."

Eleanor is smiling at the camera, she has very long brown hair, tied away from her face. She is wearing a black coat and white fleece underneath.

Eleanor Welch has travelled from Liverpool

University student Eleanor Welch said she is very excited to be home from Liverpool for Christmas.

"I don't get home very often, but when I do, it is very special," she said.

"I am looking forward to the free food at home."

Meanwhile, Friday is expected to be the busiest day in the run up to Christmas at Dublin Airport with about 93,000 passengers due to travel through the terminals.

In total, the airport will welcome about 1.4m passengers this festive season.

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The long haul home at Belfast City

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