The take-off of Ryanair’s new year-round Birmingham service from City of Derry Airport this week provided a well-earned cause for celebration with Jade Kirwan, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, and the Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, in attendance to mark the occasion.
The new route will provide much needed connectivity to the UK Midlands for leisure and corporate travellers across the Northwest, and budget-friendly fares with prices starting from just £14.95 one-way.
The passengers travelling on the inaugural arrival and departure services between City of Derry and Birmingham were treated to some VIP hospitality with a range of complimentary refreshments, special retail offers, free samples from local crafters, and family fun with the Easter Bunny himself!
The first arrival passengers also received a warm welcome to the Northwest with a water salute over the Ryanair aircraft on arrival onto the airfield.
Jade Kirwan, Head of Communications at Ryanair stated: “Ryanair is delighted to officially launch our exciting new Summer ’24 schedule at City of Derry Airport, with the first flight of our new Birmingham route taking off today (3rd Apr).
“Ryanair’s new Birmingham route will operate twice per week (Wed & Sat), building on our regular services to/from Manchester – the UK’s ‘Capital of the North’, and offering our customers even greater connectivity with the UK, whether travelling for work, study, or leisure, at Ryanair’s infamous low fares.”
Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport commented: “It’s fantastic to continue our airline partnership with Ryanair and grow their offerings in the Northwest.
“We are proud that we can now facilitate this year-round service for our local community in Derry City and Strabane, the Causeway Coast and Glens, Donegal and beyond.
“The route has been in demand for some time, particularly for those in the Northwest with family and friends residing in Birmingham who are commuting back and forth throughout the year, as well as students studying in the Midlands.”
Mr Frazer added that Birmingham is a fantastic choice for a convenient leisure break: “Birmingham offers an abundance of experiences for everyone.
“Families can enjoy fun-filled excursions to Alton Towers, Cadbury World, Lego Land, the Bear Grylls Adventure and the National Sea Life Centre, to name just a few.
“Couples and groups travelling can relax in style with the beautiful hotels and restaurants available such as The Belfry Hotel Resort, The Ivy Temple Row, Tattu, Hotel du Vin, enjoy unique experiences such as Shakespeare’s Guildhall or the Roundhouse, or let their hair down at one of the many festivals across the city such as Birmingham City Festival or Páirc Festival which is the biggest Irish musical festival in the UK.
“We hope to be able to offer the service for the corporate market as the route becomes established and perhaps the frequency increases, as Birmingham offers convenient connectivity to the NEC which is home to global events, as well as providing access for construction companies across Northern Ireland and Donegal who have teams travelling on a regular basis.”
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, welcomed the new route.
She said: “This is excellent news for the airport and our customers and a great addition to our existing routes.
“This is a very welcome boost for both the Airport and the wider Northwest region and a direct air link with Birmingham is important for the economic development of the region.
“The route will provide passengers with enhanced connectivity for business and leisure travel as well as a wide range of global options for onward journeys.
“As a Council we remain committed to ensuring City of Derry Airport is the airport of choice for the Northwest of Ireland, offering passengers both convenience and outstanding customer service.”
In addition to the new Birmingham service, Ryanair is expanding its flight operations at City of Derry Airport with the existing route to Manchester now increasing to four days a week throughout Spring and Summer to meet the travel requirements of the local market.
For more information on Ryanair’s year-round services from City of Derry Airport to Birmingham or Manchester, visit: www.ryanair.com
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