DERRY’S direct air link to London will fly to Southend in future rather than Stansted, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed.
The new Loganair service, which is due to begin on October 27, will operate 26 flights a week between City of Derry Airport and Southend.
The Scottish airline runs the existing service between City of Derry Airport and Stansted, which since 2017 has been subsidised by DfT and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The announcement of the revised route was made by transport minister Grant Shapps, who said flights on the 49-seater aircraft would boost trade and secure jobs.
“I’m backing this route because I understand just how important these daily direct flights linking London and Northern Ireland are,” he said.
The mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Michaela Boyle welcomed the twice-daily flights.
"I would like to welcome today’s announcement as it will ensure the continuation of a vital daily direct link to London allowing many regular users in the north west to do business conveniently and at reasonable cost,” she said.
London Southend Airport is located 52 minutes by train from central London’s Liverpool Street Station.
