SCOTTISH regional airline Loganair is launching a Glasgow to Derry air service after Ryanair revealed recently that it was discontinuing its link between the cities.
The new Loganair service,with lead-in fares starting at £49.99 each way, will commence on Sunday October 28 – the day after Ryanair’s service ceases.
Operating five days a week, Loganair will utilise a 33-seat Saab 340 aircraft on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a larger, 50-capacity Saab 2000 aircraft used for Sunday evening services.
Services will depart Glasgow at 10.55am on Mondays and Saturdays, arriving in Derry 50 minutes later at 11.45am. The return trip from Derry will take to the skies at 12.15pm.
The Thursday, Friday and Sunday services leave Glasgow at 6.55pm, with return flights leaving Northern Ireland’s second largest city at 8.15pm.
Loganair first served Derry in April 1979, becoming the first airline to operate to City of Derry Airport at the time.
Jonathan Hinkles, managing director at Loganair, said: “Glasgow to Derry has always been a really popular route, given the close connections between the residents of the two cities.
“We’re delighted to be returning to a route which we first initiated all those years ago, while also ensuring its continuation following Ryanair’s recent announcement.
"We very much hope that our decision to secure the future of this air link will be of keen interest to those with family ties and football affiliations, as well as people with business in the two regions.”
Derry becomes Loganair’s 12th destination from Glasgow, the home base for Scotland’s Airline. It has added Guernsey and Donegal to its Glasgow network this year and will also resume non-stop flights in May from Glasgow to Bergen in Norway for a second summer season.
Francois Bourienne, Glasgow Airport commercial director, said: “We are thrilled our long-standing airline partner Loganair has made the decision to step in to operate a regular service to Derry.
“Derry is a consistently-popular destination with our passengers and the announcement that Loganair will operate five services per week is very welcome news indeed.”
Londonderry Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Loganair’s announcement.
Chamber president Jennifer McKeever said: “This seamless continuation of the air link between Derry and Glasgow is great news for the city and the North West region.
“There are strong historic ties between our two cities and maintaining connectivity is very important to many. Ryanair’s announcement that the service was to be cut came as a blow to local businesses, the regional tourism industry, football fans and those with family links in Glasgow.
“It’s important for our regional economy that our airport continues to operate routes to appropriate destinations. The Chamber will continue to support the growth of City of Derry Airport as a key element of the north west’s transport infrastructure.”
