Public urged to have their say on future City of Derry–London air service
3 June 2026
Derry City and Strabane District Council is encouraging the public, businesses and stakeholders to have their say on the future of air connectivity between City of Derry Airport and London.
A public survey is now open seeking views on the development of a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service, which is due to commence from 1 April 2027, and replace the current service.
The consultation will help shape key aspects of the service, including routes, frequency, scheduling and pricing, ensuring it meets the needs of passengers and supports the wider regional economy.
Residents, businesses and travellers are invited to participate in the survey, which is open from today Wednesday, 03 June until 24 June 2026 (11:59pm deadline). Submissions must be made online via the Council’s consultation platform – consultation https://haveyoursay.derrystrabane.com/en-GB/projects/public-survey-city-of-derry-to-london-air-service/
The City of Derry to London air service has been in operation since 2017 and plays a vital role in connecting the North West to London, supporting tourism growth, investment opportunities, business and leisure travel and regional economic development. The new PSO contract will be in place for four years, ensuring continued connectivity for the region into the future.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Grace Uí Niallais encouraging the public to get involved said: “The City of Derry Airport is a strategically vital asset for our region, providing an essential gateway for business, tourism and investment. Maintaining strong connectivity to London is critical to supporting economic growth, creating opportunities and ensuring that the North West remains competitive and accessible. I would encourage everyone in our community to take this opportunity to have their say and help shape the future of this important service.”
Steve Frazer, Managing Director with City of Derry Airport said: “The success of this route depends on ensuring it meets the needs of those who use it most. Feedback from passengers, businesses and stakeholders is vital in helping us secure and design a service that works for the region. We want to hear directly from users about their preferences on flight times, frequency and overall service so that we can build a strong case for the future of this route.”
He added that the consultation will help determine the preferred London airport, the frequency and timing of flights, aircraft capacity, fare structures and the overall passenger demand for the service. The Airport manager said that as passenger numbers continue to grow at the City of Derry Airport, it underlines the importance of maintaining and strengthening this important route.
The PSO service is jointly funded by the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The consultation is available here - https://haveyoursay.derrystrabane.com/en-GB/projects/public-survey-city-of-derry-to-london-air-service/