Public Survey: City of Derry to London Air Service

Market Sounding Survey

In Preparation for City of Derry to London Public Service Obligation (PSO) Air Services

1. INTRODUCTION

Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) is seeking views from key stakeholders, and interested parties, on matters that may be relevant to deliver connectivity between City of Derry Airport (CODA) and an appropriate London airport through the delivery of a PSO (Public Service Obligation) air service.

1.1 BACKGROUND

DCSDC now intends to tender for a new PSO air service for a period of four years on this route starting services no later than 1st April 2027. A PSO air service has operated between City of Derry and London since May 2017. The service is co-funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and The Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) (DfE) on a 50/50 basis, with the contract managed by DCSDC.

This PSO provides essential connectivity for the Northwest region, supporting inward investment, tourism and recognises the importance of air connectivity between Northern Ireland and Great Britain as a catalyst for growth.

1.2 EXPECTED BENEFITS

Improved connectivity for the people of the Northwest region also creates opportunity for growth in business activity and tourism with the associated economic gains in regional Gross Value Added. This PSO has grown steadily over the years in terms of passenger numbers and added value, the expectation is that this upcoming PSO will again grow further the passenger numbers year-on-year by providing an option of airport, frequency and aircraft size matching those needs.

Responses to this Market Sounding Survey will inform the development of these specifications, which will include choice of airport, aircraft capacity, frequency of services, timing of services and fare structures.

2. KEY OBJECTIVES

The key objectives of this Market Sounding Survey are as follows:

• To inform potential passengers of DfT, DfE NI and DCSDC’s commitment to deliver connectivity between CODA and an appropriate London airport through the delivery of a subsidised PSO air service.
• To inform potential air carriers of DCSDC’s intention to publish a competitive Invitation to Tender (ITT).
• To gather details on passenger behaviours and gauge further passenger demand for the air service.
• To seek the views of potential passengers and stakeholders on what specifications would potentially best meet the requirements of the PSO air service, in terms of appropriate airport, aircraft capacity, frequency of services, timing of services and fare structures.
• To seek views from market on any potential challenges in delivering the service. Any views provided would be for information gathering purposes only.

3. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The UK Government recognises that regional airports serve our local communities by supporting thousands of jobs in the regions and acting as a gateway to international opportunities, alongside maintaining social and family ties and strengthening the bonds between the four nations. PSO Regulations enable the protection of existing domestic routes that are in danger of being lost. The DfT’s December 2023 PSO Guidance sets out that PSOs help protect a minimum level of air services on a particular route that is socially and economically vital for the regions it serves. DfE through their support for the PSO service and operational funding recognise CODA as a key infrastructural asset supporting the region’s economic development.

CODA is owned by DCSDC. In recognition of the importance of this key infrastructure in supporting connectivity, enabling economic growth and supporting tourism to the region, the airport is funded by DCSDC, with financial support provided to DCSDC by the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland).

The current PSO (1ST April 2023 to 31st March 2027) is funded by the respective authorities with contributions for the total contract split as follows:

Authority Percentage Contribution

• Northern Ireland Executive (Department for Economy) - 50%
• UK Government (Department for Transport) -50%

Located in the UK’s most westerly city, CODA has been a gateway for the Northwest region for over 40 years, providing connectivity for the region on a cross-border basis. The immediate catchment area for the airport includes Derry, neighbouring Donegal and the North coast region. The airport offers direct access to world class tourism destinations with the Walled City of Derry / Londonderry nestled between the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way. It also provides important access for the Northwest region for business travel to and from mainland UK and Europe.

With a doorstep catchment of over 500,000 people within a 35-mile radius, CODA provides the potential for the people of the region to fly locally and connect directly, reducing additional journey time. A key contributor to the region’s economic growth plans, CODA achieved c225,000 passengers in 2025/2026 with an expected growth of 30% for 2026/2027. Current airport annual capacity is 650,000 passengers, with five main stands adjacent to the terminal building, served by two passenger gates. The longest runway is 1969m long facilitating an operating range to all European countries non-stop using today’s common jet engine and turboprop aircraft types.

The airport currently offers a three times daily PSO air service to London Heathrow. Other all year-round destinations include Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Seasonal summer and winter flights are scheduled with airline partners and tour operators each year, as well as multiple charter offerings for pilgrimages, sports events and private operators.

To support the Northwest economy and regional development plans, the airport aims to provide greater access to hubs and European destinations, whilst also improving connectivity to key UK cities and strengthening frequency on key business routes.

4. MAKING A SUBMISSION

Submissions are now invited from key stakeholders, and interested parties, on matters that may be relevant to deliver connectivity between CODA and London through the delivery of a PSO air service.

Responses must be made online using the form below and submitted no later than 23.59 hrs on Wednesday 24th June.

As part of this Market Sounding Survey, DCSDC will collect your data, in the form of your name and email address provided by you in your submission. Such data may be used by the DCSDC during the consultation process in order to seek clarity from you in relation to your submission, if necessary.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY & PRIVACY INFORMATION

Responses received will be treated in confidence by DCSDC, but they may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Accordingly, Respondents should clearly indicate any information which is considered to be confidential or commercially sensitive and specify the reasons. If respondents do not identify it as confidential or commercially sensitive, it is liable to be released in response to a Freedom of Information request without further consultation with the respondent. DCSDC will, where possible, consult with respondents about confidential and commercially sensitive information so identified before making a decision on a request received under the Freedom of Information Act.

To ensure privacy, any personal information you give to DCSDC will be protected under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/67 and the Data Protection Act 2018. You can read DCSDC’s privacy statement at www.derrystrabane.com/privacypolicy

DCSDC will not process your personal data for any purpose other than that for which it was collected.