BA to cut back Glasgow-Derry service

British Airways franchise operator, Loganair has informed the City of Derry Airport that it will be reducing the frequency of service between Derry and Glasgow later this month.

The airline's current twice-daily service will be reduced to one flight per day from February 26.

Explaining the decision by Loganair, Andy Jolly, Director of Commercial Operations said that the continued price wars between low-cost airlines operating from Northern Ireland and Scotland had increased competition on the route.

Mr Jolly said: “Decisions to expand or reduce any of our services are based on our ability to provide a commercial viable service. In respect of the Glasgow service, the increased competition from low-cost airlines had impacted significantly on the numbers using the route, hence our decision to revert to a once daily flight. We are concentrating our efforts on the services to Manchester, Dublin and the remaining daily service to Glasgow.

“The competition in providing scheduled services is intense and it is in everyone’s interest that we can work to ensure the continued success of these routes and the airport. We will obviously be reviewing this decision in the future and if the demand from the public indicates that the route is viable as a twice-daily service then we will consider reinstating the frequency”.

Seamus Devine, City of Derry Airport Manager, said that the decision by Loganair was a sign of intense competition and the vulnerability within the industry, but that it was important that the airport continued to work with Loganair "to build the daily service to Glasgow and provide long-term stability and growth for the airport in this very competitive sector".

(MB)