|
|
Loganair axes Derry to Glasgow
route
25.09.08
THE Inishowen-Scottish
community has been disappointed with the
announcement that Loganair is to cease operating its
service from City of Derry Airport to Glasgow after
29 years. The company has cited rising fuel costs
and an increasingly competitive marketplace for its
decision.
The service will continue as normal until October 19
but anyone booked to travel after that date will be
contacted by the company in relation to a refund.
Loganair acting ceo David Harrison told
InishowenNews.com the decision to stop the
long-running service was taken with regret.
“Due to an increasingly competitive marketplace and
the current economic climate of rising fuel costs,
it is with regret that Loganair is announcing the
withdrawal of its Glasgow to Derry service," said Mr
Harrison.
“Loganair has been operating this service for 29
years and we would have liked to do so for many
years to come. This is very disappointing news for
all concerned but is the result of circumstances
beyond our control. We would like to apologise to
passengers for any inconvenience this change may
cause," he added.
One disappointed customer is Audrey Wyper who
travels regularly to see family in Moville. |
 |
"I am disappointed by
this news as I am a regular user of this route. It
is also very popular with elderly travellers,
tourists and students because of the easy access to
transport networks from Glasgow to the rest of
Scotland.
Audrey said she will now have to rely on the Ryanair
flight to Derry from |
Prestwick which is 32
miles from Glasgow city centre.
Loganair said passengers booked to travel on the
Derry to Glasgow route after October 19 would get a
refund via the travel agent or airline where they
made their original booking.
Passengers intending to travel between October 20
and October 25 will receive their refund from
British Airways. If their date of travel is after
October 25, under Loganair's new franchise
agreement, the refund will come from Flybe. In both
cases, passengers will be contacted, the company
said.
A spokesperson for Derry City Council’s airport
authority said it had been advised of the airline's
decision to withdraw the service.
"Loganair has enjoyed an excellent relationship with
the North West for the past 30 years. While their
decision is regrettable it is also understandable
following the recent challenges facing the airline
industry.
"Loganair were a loyal and valued customer of City
of Derry Airport and we will continue to look at
opportunities to work with the company in the
future," said the spokesperson.
The first flight from Derry to Glasgow International
Airport took off from the old Eglinton runway on
April 2, 1979, with an eight-seater aircraft. It was
to become one of Northern Ireland’s longest-running
air routes by a single carrier. |
|
