Mayor welcomes PSO funding for London route from City of Derry Airport
14 February 2024
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Patricia Logue has welcomed funding of more than £1m announced today by the Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy for the continuation of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route to London Heathrow from the City of Derry Airport until March 2025.
The announcement was made today following a joint visit by the Economy Minister Conor Murphy and the Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd to the City of Derry Airport.
Mayor Logue said: “We wholeheartedly welcome this financial commitment from Minister Murphy to this much needed connection to London for another year from the local airport. Connectivity to London is critical to the North West economy, and today’s announcement of financial funding for year two of the service will be widely welcomed by the many businesses who rely on this route. I also welcome the fact that Minister O’Dowd visited the airport and look forward to working with him in relation to the wider long term funding issue of the Airport.
“I am delighted that the newly appointed Ministers both took time out of their busy schedules to visit the Airport and reaffirm their commitment to the Airport and the wider North West region.”
The Mayor added: “Regular, reliable services to London are critical to the North West economy in terms of both business and leisure, and form a key component of our strategic plans to make this region more appealing and accessible for international investors. I am delighted that the future of this vital connection between the two cities is now secure and believe it will boost trade and travel opportunities as well as support local jobs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the Ministers’ commitment to enhancing connectivity and investment and is hugely positive news for the city and district and wider City North West region as a whole.”
Today’s funding announcement secures the London Heathrow route until March 2025. The PSO allows Government to protect vital air connectivity into London and the carrier Loganair will continue to operate the route.