Airport hopes to retain 20-year-old Dublin service

Disappointment was expressed at the Irish Government's decision to cease its support of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) for the route.

The Airport Manager, Damien Tierney said the airport will be liaising with the current carrier, Aer Arann and other commercial providers, to discuss the future of the route.

"The Airport believes the Derry to Dublin service provides a valuable tourism and business link for the region.

"While passenger numbers at the airport over the past six months are holding despite the recent pressures in relation to severe weather conditions and the economic downturn the Dublin service has had a challenging year.

"Several factors including the timing of the service, economic climate, weather and volcanic ash have impacted on the routes performance.

"City of Derry Airport is committed to demonstrating the potential for the operation of this service, whether it is with the current carrier Aer Arann, or with an alternative commercial partner.

"We firmly believe there is a need for the route and the existence of the PSO has clearly established a demand and for this service," he concluded.

SDLP North/South spokesperson Pl Callaghan said the removal of the PSO subvention was a premature step.

"The Irish government's support to this service has been of huge importance to Derry City Airport and to the wider Northwest economy, including inward investment and tourism.

"People understand that that the PSO would be reviewed across the State and that the changes in land transport connections would feed into that.

"That is reflected in the retention of the subsidy for the Donegal and Kerry airports as their road and rail links remain less developed.

"In the SDLP's view, the remaining poor road and rail links to Derry put our airport in that category of need.

"Other PSO airports like Galway and Sligo now have motorway level roads as well as good rail links.

"There is effectively no rail service from Dublin to Derry and the A5 upgrade is yet to be built," said Mr Callaghan.

Sinn Fin Councillor Gerry MacLochlainn said: "This route has been operating for 20 years, many years before the subsidy was introduced.

"And has been an important business and tourism link between the North West and the capital.

"We are convinced that despite the current economic climate the air route will continue to be attractive to a commercial operator even after the withdrawal of the subsidy.

"We will work hard to secure a carrier to provide this service into the future."

The Dublin service has been in operation through as both a commercial and public service obligation (PSO) route for almost 20 years. The PSO is now in its third term, with each term being three years