THE SDLP’s Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed the return of Ryanair to the City of Derry Airport and the instigation of a new service between Derry and Manchester.
The route is beginning this winter.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I very much welcome this new Derry to Manchester service. This route has long been an ambition of the airport and I congratulate the airport’s leadership, and Derry City and Strabane District Council as the owners, for getting this over the line.
“Connections with Manchester are really important for our local economy, as well as being a key destination for study and social reasons.
“Manchester is a vibrant and dynamic city, which is becoming increasingly significant within Britain as an economic hub.
“Creating business links between the two cities could be extremely beneficial for Derry.
“The City of Derry Airport provides important economic benefits for Derry, as well as the wider region on both sides of the border.
“It is essential that the Executive and the British and Irish governments provide the ongoing financial support it needs, not just to survive but to expand.”
Jason McGuinness, Commercial Director at Ryanair, said they were “delighted” to add the new route.
It follows an announcement in August that Ryanair was to end operations from Belfast City Airport in September and Belfast International in October.
It had only previously restarted flights at Belfast City Airport in May after an absence of 11 years.
Ryanair blamed the cost of operating at the Belfast airports, as well as the UK government’s “refusal to suspend or reduce” air passenger duty (APD).
On Thursday, Mr McGuiness reiterated calls for the UK government to “scrap or suspend” APD to allow airlines to “quickly recover connectivity, jobs and tourism” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“While Ryanair is committed to the UK and to Derry airport, the lack of government support continues to create barriers to boosting traffic and growth,” he added.
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