New route launched between Manchester and Northern Ireland
A new flight has been launched between Manchester and Northern Ireland.
Loganair has announced a new route from the North West to City of Derry Airport, with the daily service commencing on May 24.
The route will be served by a 49-seat Embraer 145 jet aircraft.
With a flight-time of only 70 minutes, the new link will offer a regular service Northern Ireland’s second-largest city and give Northern Irish passengers access to worldwide flights with Loganair’s partner airlines at Manchester Airport.
Loganair has also been selected as the new operator for the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract to secure Derry’s sole air service to London following the weekend’s news that previous operator flybmi has entered insolvency.
The airline will begin operating to London Stansted from Wednesday February 27. It will provide two services each weekday and on Sundays alongside a single Saturday flight as part of a Derry City and Strabane District Council PSO contract.
The airline already provides service between Derry and Glasgow five days per week – having stepped in to safeguard the route following Ryanair’s withdrawal last year.
It has a long history of service at City of Derry Airport, and was the first to fly commercial services there back in April 1979.
Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s managing director said: “Our new Manchester route marks a further expansion of the airline’s destination map from Derry, building our relationship with the airport and providing even more choice to customers.
“With a robust economy and diverse cultural offering, we’re excited to connect the two cities.”
“We’re also extremely pleased to be awarded the contract to operate the essential Derry to Stansted air service following completion of a competitive tender process. I know the news about flybmi created great uncertainty, so we’re focused on recommencing operations as quickly as possible.
“The route is an important link to London and the South East with a schedule which has been tailored to the needs of the business community – enabling a full day of work in the capital before an evening flight home. The weekend services will also be attractive to leisure passengers who can chose the length of a short break.”
Lead-in fares between Manchester and Derry begin at £39.99 with tickets between Derry and Stansted priced the same. All reservations include 20kg of complimentary hold luggage and passengers are eligible to join Loganair’s loyalty programme, Clan Loganair.
