Business

'Vital' Derry to Stansted air link takes flight

Pictured at the launch of the twice-daily service from Derry to Stansted are: Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair managing director; and Charlene Shongo, airport manager at City of Derry Airport.
Pictured at the launch of the twice-daily service from Derry to Stansted are: Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair managing director; and Charlene Shongo, airport manager at City of Derry Airport. Pictured at the launch of the twice-daily service from Derry to Stansted are: Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair managing director; and Charlene Shongo, airport manager at City of Derry Airport.

SCOTTISH airline Loganair's new service between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted has taken flight for the first time.

The inaugural flight from Derry took off at 7.05am yesterday, less than two weeks after the collapse of previous operator Flybmi.

The new Loganair service runs twice daily on a 49-seater Embraer 145 jet aircraft, with the route subsidised by the UK Government.

Loganair managing director, Jonathan Hinkles said the airline is pleased to continue the "vital" airlink between Derry and London Stansted.

"Bookings have been extremely positive which only re-enforces how important this route is to the region," he said.

City of Derry's management company, Regional & City Airports (RCA), said the renewal of the Stansted route can act as a catalyst for in-bound tourism.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Loganair commence operations of our London Stansted public obligation service," RCA contracts director, Clive Coleman said.

"This is great news for the airport and the wider north west region. A direct air link with a London airport is imperative for this region - and our business community.”

City of Derry Airport manager, Charlene Shongo added:

“The double daily service between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted, (exception Saturday when there is one service) has already proven very popular with business and leisure travellers throughout the north west with Loganair indicating strong sales to date."

In addition to the new Stansted service and the existing Glasgow route, Loganair will operate a daily air service from Derry to Manchester, starting on May 24.

Last week it was also confirmed that a new link between Belfast City Airport and Carlisle Lake District Airport, operated by the Scottish airline, could begin “within weeks”.

The six-times-a-week service was meant to have commenced last June, but was withdrawn due to issues around air traffic control staff training at Carlisle.

The airport refused to specify a precise date for its first flight but said it hoped it will be “in the spring”.