Northern Ireland Executive to give £7M support to City of Derry Airport

The Northern Ireland Executive is to provide up to £7M to enable regeneration and growth around the City of Derry Airport.

The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness confirmed the investment as he visited the airport on Monday.

The Executive will deliver up to £2.5M in route development support to help transform the future of the airport. A further £4.5M capital investment will be made in partnership with Derry and Strabane District Council to create high-value jobs and training opportunities.

The First Minister, Arlene Foster, said the funding would help to ensure that City of Derry Airport would remain a “key gateway” for the North West region for those travelling for both business and leisure.

She commented: “The Council also has plans for further development which would bring employment opportunities to the area and we want to act as a catalyst for it to succeed.

“This announcement is part of our plan to help deliver economic prosperity in every part of Northern Ireland. Indeed, the plans to invest in capital works will be a welcome boost to the construction sector in the North-West as well.

“Our package of support will ultimately allow the airport to plan for the future and remain a key part of the transport infrastructure for Northern Ireland.”

The announcement is a welcome boost following Ryanair’s decision to withdraw flights to London and cut the number of flights to Liverpool.

The deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said: “Connectivity is a pre-requisite for economic development which made this £7million investment in the City of Derry Airport vital.

“With Ryanair’s withdrawal, having another airline in place is vital for our economic development and I am pleased discussions are at an advanced stage. I am confident this financial backing will enable the airport to not only function but flourish and serve all the people of the North-West and further afield.”

 

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