First BMI flight to London Stansted takes off from City of Derry Airport this morning
The first BMI Regional flight from Derry to Londson Stansted took off from City of Derry Airport this morning.
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan welcomed the inaugural flight which he said will significantly benefit business and leisure passengers in the entire North West.
The route will run twice daily, with an early morning departure each day enabling commuters from the region to arrive in London before 9.00 am and complete a full day’s business before returning on an early evening flight.
The service will operate as a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route for an initial two-year period with support funding provided by the Department for Transport.
Mr Durkan, who supported the City of Derry Airport application and lobbied the British government for PSO support for the twice daily service to London, said:
“BMI’s new Derry to London Stansted route will help release the best potential of the airport – not just for this city but the entire North West.
“This re-instated service will be of great assistance to business and leisure passengers alike – on both sides of the border.”
Questioning the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, in the House of Commons on 15 September 2016, Mr Durkan said: “Given his earlier line on regional connectivity, will the Secretary of State ensure that the Aviation Minister and officials give positive and prompt consideration to the submission by City of Derry Airport for PSO support for a twice daily service to London?”
The Transport Secretary replied: “The answer to that question is yes – it is on my desk right now – and I recognise the importance of it.
“I think good connectivity to Northern Ireland is, and remains, and will be very important.”
Mr Durkan added: “To take the points further and address concerns on details, I also sought a meeting in Westminster involving the Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad, the Secretary of State for the North, Council and Airport representatives and the MPs for the North West.
“This meeting proved to be helpful given the unity of message from three MPs, the good work of the airport board and the working goodwill of the ministers.”