Ryanair to pull plug on Derry?
I found this on the front page of todays Derry Journal.
THE JOURNAL has learned that Ryanair, the low-cost airline, could pull the plug on its City of Derry Airport service if it can negotiate a deal with the owners of Belfast International Airport.
It was revealed this week that the company is putting together costings for launching a new 12-flights-a-day operation from Belfast International.
Industry sources say the "no-frills" operator has sought detailed bids from potential suppliers in the North and has indicated that it would be keen to establish services if it can negotiate a deal with TBI, the airport's owners.
No deal has yet been agreed between Ryanair and TBI but discussions between the two parties could cast some doubts over the low-cost operator's current operations at City of Derry Airport.
Last year the airline carried more than 125,000 passengers from City of Derry to London Stansted.
This year it expects this to increase to 160,000 people.
Ryanair claims to carry, on average, in the region of 10,000 passengers between Derry and London and, according to Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, it is the second fastest growing airport for Ryanair in Ireland.
However, sources say Ryanair will not operate from two airports in the North and, if it secures a deal with TBI at Belfast International, it could relocate its Derry service to Belfast.
However, both Ryanair and the Derry airport's owners, Derry City Council, were playing down the speculation.
A Ryanair spokeswoman said that Belfast International was one of a number of airports that it was currently talking to.
She said: "At any one time, Ryanair is in discussions with more than 25 airports across Europe with a view to opening up new routes and developing existing services."
Expansion
A spokesperson for Derry City Council says it continually meets with Ryanair chiefs to discuss the expansion of existing services and the introduction of new services at the Eglinton facility.
"We are pleased that Ryanair consider the route to be one of its most successful in Ireland with more than 10,000 passengers per months availing of the service," said the spokesperson.
The City Council also agreed with Ryanair's projection figures anticipating that the route will further expand to an estimated 160,000 passengers this year.
"The airline industry is highly competitive with low cost operators opening up new opportunities and challenges for airports," continued the spokesperson.
"We fully recognise that airlines will seek the best possible landing terms and City of Derry Airport strives to offer the most competitive rates.
NW attractive
"Ryanair has proved that the North West region is capable of generating large numbers of passengers which would be attractive to any airline."