Derry to London flight route funding secured for two years

Direct flights between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow will be subsidised by the Northern Ireland and UK governments for two years, Stormont's Department for the Economy has confirmed.

Since 2017, flights between Derry and London have been subsidised under a public service obligation (PSO).

The existing PSO expired at the end of March.

On Wednesday, Northern Ireland's economy minister Caoimhe Archibald said joint government funding of £4.626m secures the route until 2027.

"This route plays a vital role in providing the north west with connectivity to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world through the PSO route to London Heathrow," Archibald said.

The minister added that the Derry airport acts as "as a catalyst for the local and regional economy by providing enhanced air connectivity and tourism benefits", adding it also contributes to economic growth in the north west region.

PSO air routes see the government support flights which would not be commercially viable without state support.

The City of Derry to London PSO route, operated by Loganair, is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

The DUP's Gary Middleton described the move as "good news for people in the north west".

"This vital link strengthens connectivity for the north west and supports local business and tourism," Middelton said.

"A successful route and airport will also ease the burden on council ratepayers."

SDLP assembly member Sinéad McLaughlin said the continuation of the service was "a vital investment in our economy".

"This route provides a crucial link not only to London but also to wider international markets, helping local businesses expand and ensuring that Derry remains globally connected," McLaughlin said.

Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy also welcomed the announcement and said the north west had "huge potential to be a thriving economic hub".

"Today marks another step forward in building a fairer economy for all, with investment and opportunities fairly spread across the island," Duffy said.

Meanwhile, Archibald's department also confirmed it has prepared a business case to provide Derry City and Strabane District Council with funding to cover the airport's running costs for the next four years.

The airport is owned by the council and it costs ratepayers more than £3m to help pay operational costs.

In October 2024, then economy minister Conor Murphy said his department intended to assume responsibility for multi-million-pound annual running costs.

Now a department spokesman said: "A business case to provide funding to Derry City and Strabane District Council from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2029 has been prepared by DfE and is now going through the relevant approval process."

The council has previously raised concerns over future funding.