The first flight of the new bmi regional service between City of Derry Airport, (CoDA), and London Stansted took off this week with much celebration.
The twice-daily service is set to benefit travellers from Donegal and across the Northwest as flights depart for the city in the mornings and return the same evening. The new service is also seen as a triumph for tourism across the entire Northwest.
This has been one of bmi regional’s fastest selling route launches. Fares start from £44 one way and all fares include 23kg of free hold luggage, allocated seating and complimentary in-flight drinks and snacks.
Passengers departing and arriving on the inaugural flight on May 2nd were treated to light refreshments, entertainment and a beautiful keepsake certificate to mark the occasion.
Bmi regional welcomed the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, onboard their inaugural flight, which departed City of Derry Airport at 06:45am.
The Mayor was joined by members of the media who were also among the first to experience the high quality and convenient service on this new route. Speaking in advance of her departure, the Mayor, Alderman Hilary McClintock stated that she was delighted to have bmi regional operating the London service from City of Derry Airport and is confident the service will be a huge success for business and leisure travel.
“The route runs twice daily on a 49-seater jet aircraft with an early morning departure each day that is particularly suited to business travellers and commuters from the region to arrive in Central London early in the morning and complete a full day’s business before returning back on an early evening flight.
“Maintaining frequent, convenient and competitively priced air services to and from London is vitally important to the Council and the Airport and we believe that this route is vital for the future development of our regional economy and the social development of our region. I would like to extend my best wishes to bmi regional and wish them every success for this route,” she commented.
Mr Roy Devine, Chairman of CoDA Operations Ltd stated: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome bmi regional to City of Derry Airport – this is a very welcome boost for both the Airport and the wider North West region. A direct air link with a London airport is imperative for this region – and its business community”.
Roy stated that “the double daily service between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted, (exception Saturday when there is one service) has already proven very popular with business and leisure travellers throughout the North West with bmi regional indicating strong sales to date”.
The new service offers customers a convenient, all-inclusive service where 23kg bags fly for free and passengers can enjoy complimentary inflight drinks and snacks on board.
Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer of bmi regional, commented, “The launch of this important new route, bmi regional’s first to/from Northern Ireland, connects business and leisure travellers from the capital and East Anglia to the North West region of Ireland.
“Given Derry’s recent and sustained period of economic growth, significant investment in new jobs and the various future growth projects, we are positive that the enhanced double-daily connectivity bmi regional’s new service offers will generate additional activity in the market. It has become one of our fastest selling route launches and we are very pleased with customer acceptance of our latest service.”
Pictured before the departure of the inaugural BMI Regional flight from City of Derry Airport to London Stanstead are, William McClintock, Roy Devine, Airport Chairman, Graeme Ross, BMI, John Kelpie, DCSDC, CEO, the Mayor, Alderman Hilary McClintock, Mitch Phillips, Senior First Officer, Vicky Gotts, Cabin Crew, Bill Gill, Captain, Tom Wilson, Accountable Manager Regional and City Airports and Charlene Shongo Marketing and Communications Manager, CODA. PIcture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 02.05.17
Regional & City Airport’s Contracts Director, and representative of the management company at the Airport, Mr Clive Coleman, outlined that the new double daily service will enable travellers within the local area to depart CoDA early morning and return the same evening as well as acting as a catalyst for in-bound tourism to the region.
Mr Coleman concluded by stating that CoDA has become the airport of choice for the North West of Ireland, offering both convenience and excellent customer service and that he would encourage all travellers within the local catchment to think about flight options from their local airport when making future travel arrangements, asking air passengers to “Think Local and Choose CoDA” whenever they can. “We have fantastic facilities on our doorstep and it is essential that everyone takes advantage of their local airport for their travel plans when possible”.
Commercial and Marketing Manager, Charlene Shongo outlined that fares start from £44 one way and all fares include 23kg of hold luggage, allocated seating and complimentary in-flight drinks and snacks. Customers can book flights today by visiting www.flybmi.com.
Tourism Ireland warmly welcomed the new flight from London Stansted to City of Derry Airport. The flight will certainly help boost tourism from the all-important GB market, offering more choice to prospective visitors travelling from London.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “good news for tourism to Northern Ireland, and the North West in particular, for 2017. We look forward to working with BMI Regional, to maximise the promotion of this new service from London. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism.
“Tourism Ireland is committed to working with BMI Regional and all our airline partners, through co-operative marketing, to drive demand for flights to Northern Ireland.”
Tags:
