4 | UPDATES
our passengers’ travel experience is as stress-free as possible.”
The introduction of direct Heathrow flights allowed passengers from all areas of NI and Republic of Ireland passengers to utilise all three airports to connect to global hubs and explore parts of the world
once
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“Passengers can drop their baggage at City of Derry, breeze through London Heathrow, and collect their baggage at their final destination. There is also increased baggage allowance as the international airline’s baggage permissions apply throughout the journey.
“In terms of planning international travel, passengers can simply book single-ticket fares via the international airline website, or via a local travel agent.” Brenda Morgan MBE, Head of Business Development at City of Derry Airport, added:
the
“With reduced journey time to Airport,
savings on parking
(you can park for a week from just £34.58), and less than 15 minutes from the Carpark to the Departure Gate, we can assure our passengers of a fast, friendly and convenient start to their trip! Our Airport team also
offer amazing support for
passengers with reduced mobility and pre-visits are available for anyone with hidden disabilities, or anyone who may be nervous in advance of travel. At City of Derry Airport, we pride ourselves on doing everything we can to ensure
not accessible
from this region. These flights have become a vital lifeline for NI passengers and the regions performance on a global scale, creating an inviting appeal for international travellers coming to and from NI, both boosting connectivity but also the local economy via local tourism. Ensuring this continues,
NI
Economy Minister Conor Murphy announced funding to protect the continuation of the flights from the City of Derry Airport (CoDA) to London Heathrow in 2024. The
route, which
www.nitravelnews.com
protects jobs for airport workers and their families.” Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said:
“Our ports and airports play a vital role in our local economy and are important regional drivers of economic growth. I am committed to working with the Minister for the Economy to listen to the case brought forward by Derry City and Strabane District Council for support for CoDA, and to working together with the rest of the Executive to identify ways to support our airports.”
Rounding up a successful year,
Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport said “The
last year has brought
a period of significant growth for City of Derry Airport as we welcomed easyJet taking off from
using the Airport, with the top connecting destinations outlined as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, and the top connecting airlines shown as British Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways. “2024 also brought the extension
of Ryanair services with the launch of a new route to Birmingham and additional flights to Manchester. Ryanair celebrated a remarkable milestone of 5 million passengers through the
Airport in October
2024. This is in addition to the continued success of Loganair’s service to Glasgow, and sold-out seasonal charters to Verona with Topflight for Schools, and Lourdes Pilgrimages with Joe Walsh Tours.” As to what 2025 will bring for
City of Derry Airport, Mr. Frazer stated: “Demand for access to the Northwest from international leisure, corporate markets, and university students, means that the Airport is in a position to bring considerable tourism opportunities and economic growth to the local area. “Re-establishing air access between the Northwest and Dublin remains one of our key priorities,
providing is jointly
funded by the Department for Transport and the Department for the Economy, provides critical connectivity from the north-west to London. The funding of £1.018m began on 1 April 2024 for one year, with airline Loganair set to continue operating 20 return flights a week.
The Minister said:
“Funding this route between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow was an early priority for me as Economy Minister. The route connects the North West to London which helps thousands of people to travel to work and conduct business. This investment also
further hub connectivity for foreign direct investment and offering tourists visiting Ireland via Dublin to add the exploration of the beautiful Northwest to their itinerary.
the Northwest for the first time in history. The arrival of easyJet brings an undeniable level of brand credibility for travellers and marks a momentous step in our vision for the future. Mr. Frazer continued: “We saw our international passenger numbers triple in 2024 thanks to the single- ticket fares available via London Heathrow which launched just one year previous in Summer 2023. These passenger figures indicate a new wave of global travellers
Pushed Back EU Entry-Exit System To Be
‘Phased In’ THE European Commission have announced
implement ‘a phased approach’
plans to
the
introduction of the new Entry-Exit System (EES) biometric border system. By implementing the new system progressively,
Belfast City Airport Achieve Platinum Level in Northern Ireland’s Environmental Benchmarking Survey
BELFAST City Airport has achieved Platinum in Business in the Community (BITC)’s Northern Ireland’s
Environmental
Benchmarking Survey for the fifth consecutive year. Highlighting the airport’s commitment to having a lasting and positive impact, Ireland
Benchmarking
the Northern Environmental Survey
assesses the extent to which environmental business practices have been embedded within its
corporate strategies and operations.
Earlier this year, Belfast City Airport adopted Hydrotreated
Vegetable
Oil fuel across its airside vehicles and equipment, potentially reducing its carbon vehicle emissions by up to 90%.
This shift to lower carbon fuel aligns with the airport’s ongoing
sustainability
initiatives, which includes the upgrade of main apron lighting to energy-efficient LED systems.
states and non-EU nations,
including
member the
UK, will be given six months to adapt to the new system and guidelines.
Once implemented, the EES system will digitally record entries and exits of non-EU nationals travelling to the EU and Schengen zone for short-stays. The system will include enhanced passport checks alongside fingerprint and facial scans.
Currently, no date has
been confirmed for the roll-out of the new EES system.
DUBLIN Airport has welcomed the news that United Airlines is to expand its nonstop services between Dublin and the U.S in 2025. With this increase, the airline will be offering its highest ever capacity from Dublin. Starting 29 March 2025, United will seasonally double the number of flights between Dublin and Washington D.C., from once to twice daily. It will also increase capacity on its Dublin to Chicago O’Hare seasonal service with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, replacing the Boeing 757-200 previously operating this route.
United Airlines To Expand Nonstop Services From Dublin in 2025
to
“And of course, we will continue to work on the further expansion of our route network across the UK and Europe that can best fulfil the travel requirements of the local region.” With new routes aplenty, funding expanding and the prospect of brand new airlines expanding Northern Ireland, 2025 looks to set for a bumper year for our airports, our passengers and for the tourism sector.
January 2025
European Court THE outcome of the controversial Dublin Airport Passenger Cap is in the hands of the European Courts following the latest Irish High Court ruling on Wednesday 11 December 2024. In the ruling, Mr Justice Barry O’Donnell, established that the High Court would refer questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union, otherwise known as the CJEU.
IAA Dublin Airport Passenger Cap Referred to
Airlines have raised issue with the key points of the 32-million a year passenger cap implemented by the IAA. Airlines are seeking increased capacity for Dublin Airport in 2025, with the expected passenger footfall expected to be 35 million passengers in 2025. However, currently, these figures breach the 32-million a year passenger cap
currently
implemented by the IAA. Therefore,
the European
Court of Justice will rule whether the IAA are permitted to impose the passenger cap upon review and allocation of flight slots, and whether the passenger cap is deemed lawful under EU law.
Mr Justice Barry O’Donnell highlighted yesterday that a referral to the CJEU ahead of the full hearing was appropriate.
Terra Travel Wins Advantage
Holidays Agent of the Year 2024
TERRA Travel have won the UK-wide Award – Advantage Holidays Agent of the Year 2024. Here’s what the judging panel had to say about Terra Travel’s achievements: • Over 30% increase in sales and bookings compared to last year
• Exemplary utilisation of regional flights to expand destination offerings
• Outstanding advocacy for Advantage services
Holidays & Cruise
Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer, The Advantage Travel Partnership,
said: “I would like to
personally congratulate Terra Travel on their outstanding achievements in 2024! Their dedication,
commitment, celebrate their recognition.
On behalf of the Advantage Holidays & Cruise team and The Advantage Travel
Partnership, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone at Terra Travel for this well-deserved honour.”
Damian Murphy, Managing Director of
Terra Travel, added: “We are absolutely delighted to accept The Advantage Travel Agent of the Year 2024 award. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and passion of our exceptional team. A special thank you to Advantage Holidays for their ongoing support and for this award.”
and
hard work have truly paid off. We are thrilled to see their continued success and
well-deserved
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