Government to fund Derry - London air route after Ryanair pull out

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Wednesday, 22 February 2017 18:14

By David Hunter

The UK Government is to fund a £3.8 million package to support flights to London from City Of Derry Airport.

It follows the decision by Ryanair to stop serving the route at the end of March.

BMI Regional has been chosen as the preferred operator to Stansted, and will take over on March 26th.

In the first scheme of it's kind in Northern Ireland the government will fund the route until the end of the 2018/ 19 financial year.

Two return flights will run daily, except for Saturdays which will have one flight each way.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire said “The UK Government has worked closely with Derry City and Strabane District Council to protect this important route to City of Derry Airport.

“£3.8 million UK Government funding will allow 13 return flights to connect Londonderry to London every week.

"The new service will allow business passengers to get to central London and complete a full day’s work before returning home.”