Commercial and marketing director Katy Best said the number represented a 5.4% growth year on year and comes as the airport welcomes a number of new airlines.
She added: “We are once again very happy to report an increase in passenger numbers for 2015.
“2015 was a record year for the airport and we were delighted to not only welcome KLM, which has successfully operated an Amsterdam route with consistently high load factors since May, but also to announce that Brussels Airlines will be operating a five-times weekly service to Brussels from March 2016.
“This is not only a new airline for Northern Ireland but a completely new route for the province.
“Forward bookings across our European network remain excellent with Aer Lingus’ summer services to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma, performing particularly well.
“Belfast City remains the only airport in Northern Ireland to facilitate a direct service to Heathrow which, in addition to the Amsterdam hub, passengers use to connect to mid or long haul destinations.
“Whilst continuing to maintain and grow a comprehensive domestic route network, we are happy with the direct European destinations secured in recent years and look forward to building upon that success and developing these connections in the future.”
