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Loganair is to take over the London Stansted route from City of Derry Airport following the collapse of flybmi.<\/p>\nLoganair is to take over the London Stansted route from City of Derry Airport following the collapse of flybmi.<\/p>\n
The Scottish airline had already stepped in to take on five other UK routes operated by flybmi \u2013 three from Aberdeen and two from Newcastle.<\/p>\n
Derry City and Strabane District Council, the owner of City of Derry Airport, confirmed the decision, five days after flybmi went into administration.<\/p>\n
The route is supported by Government funding through a public service obligation (PSO).<\/p>\n
The subsidy, which has been in place since 2017, was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
This route is vital because it strengthens the Union, protects choice and boosts trade and travel opportunities.<\/p>\n
The route will resume on Wednesday February 27, with Loganair using a 49-seat Embraer 145 jet aircraft.<\/p>\n
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Boyle said Loganair\u2019s appointment was a \u201cvery positive outcome\u201d for the airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecuring a replacement operator for this important route within such a short period of time is testament to the commitment of council, the airport and the Department for Transport to ensure there is air connectivity between Derry and London,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a very complex process that has now been successfully completed and we are very pleased to be in a position to appoint Loganair to operate this significantly important route.\u201d<\/p>\n
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: \u201cIt is a testament to the hard work of Derry and Strabane Council, the City of Derry Airport and my department that we have been able to secure a replacement airline so quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis route is vital because it strengthens the Union, protects choice and boosts trade and travel opportunities \u2013 enabling business trips to and from Derry within a day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair\u2019s managing director, said: \u201cWe\u2019re extremely pleased to be selected to operate the essential Derry to Stansted air service following completion of a competitive tender process.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the news about flybmi created great uncertainty, so we\u2019re focused on recommencing operations as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last week, Mr Grayling confirmed the Government will continue to provide the PSO funding until 2021.<\/p>\n
Like flybmi did, Loganair will operate two return flights a day from City of Derry to Stansted from Sunday to Friday, and one return flight on Saturdays.<\/p>\n
Loganair already operates a Glasgow service from Derry.<\/p>\n
British Midland Regional Limited, which had operated 17 regional jet aircraft on routes to 25 European cities, cancelled all flights from Saturday.<\/p>\n
Loganair and Ryanair are now the only airlines serving City of Derry airport.<\/p>\n
In 2016, the Northern Ireland Executive pledged \u00a37 million to the loss-making airport, stressing the need to maintain air connectivity from the north west of the region.<\/p>\n