A NEW air route between Derry and London's Heathrow Airport has been announced weeks after UK government support to connect both cities was confirmed for another year.
Airline LoganAir will begin flights between City of Derry Airport and Heathrow from May 6, pending government approval under the public service obligation (PSO) scheme to support routes that would not otherwise be financially viable.
The UK's Department of Transport announced the renewal of the PSO at the end of last month, with Derry to London flights set to continue until March 2024 at a cost of £1.1m.
However, it was confirmed this week that the Derry flights would fly to Heathrow, instead of the previous London destination, Stansted.
City of Derry Airport managing director Steve Frazer said the switch would connect Derry with "one of the world’s best international hubs".
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy said the move will "open up connections from the north west to the US and other major destinations across the world."