Jazmin Li
Yes, there is an airport in Derry. The City of Derry Airport (IATA: LDY, ICAO: EGAE), previously called RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport, is a regional airport located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. The airport is easily accessible by bus and train and has flights to various destinations within the British Isles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | City of Derry Airport |
| Previous Names | RAF Eglinton, Londonderry Eglinton Airport |
| Location | 7 mi (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Distance from Derry City Centre | 8 mi (13 km) |
| Airlines | Loganair, Ryanair, easyJet, Volotea, British Airways |
| Redevelopment | £10.5 million spent on upgrading facilities from 1989-1993 |
| Privatisation | Derry City Council announced privatisation plans in 2009 |
| Passenger Numbers | 179,095 passengers in 2024, peaking at 438,996 in 2008 |
| Transport | Ulsterbus airport services, Bus Eireann/Lough Swilly, Maiden City Express |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Location and transport links
Yes, there is an airport in Derry. The City of Derry Airport (IATA: LDY, ICAO: EGAE) is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. It is situated on the south bank of Lough Foyle, approximately 8 miles (13 km) from Derry's city centre. The airport has experienced a decline in passenger numbers in recent years, with 179,095 passengers in 2024, down from a peak of 438,996 in 2008. The airport is currently a base for the Scottish regional airline Loganair, which operates domestic flights within the UK. Other airlines serving the airport include Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and Volotea.
The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. It was previously known as RAF Eglinton during World War II and later as Londonderry Eglinton Airport. In the 1990s, the Derry City Council undertook a major redevelopment programme, upgrading runways, taxiways, access roads, and navigation equipment. The council also constructed a new terminal and changed the airport's name to the City of Derry Airport.
The Belfast-Derry single-track railway line passes near the airport, but for safety reasons, no trains are allowed to pass when aircraft are taking off or landing. The airport can be accessed by bus from the Derry Bus Depot, with Ulsterbus providing airport services. Bus Eireann/Lough Swilly also offers bus services from Donegal and other parts of the Republic of Ireland. The Maiden City Express provides a fast connection between Belfast and Derry in under 2 hours.
The Belfast-Derry train line serves stops along the Causeway Coast, such as Castlerock, Ballymena, and Portrush. From the Derry-Londonderry Train Station, it is a 15-minute taxi ride to the airport. Additionally, the airport has seen improvements in passenger facilities, including tax-free shopping, a WHSmith store, and the Amelia Earhart Business Lounge in the departure area.
Airports: Customs and Immigration Transport Operations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
History and former names
Yes, there is an airport in Derry. The City of Derry Airport (IATA: LDY, ICAO: EGAE) is a regional airport located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. The airport has its origins in World War II when the Royal Air Force (RAF) Eglinton air base was established in 1941. During the war, the airfield was used by the RAF for various military purposes.
In the 1960s, limited commercial activities began at the airfield, with Emerald Airways operating a service to Glasgow. Emerald constructed a new terminal building and control tower, and the first flight to Glasgow took off on September 16, 1967. Throughout the 1970s, the Eglinton Flying Club, which is still based at the airport, was the only group using the airfield for flying.
In 1978, the Londonderry City Council decided to purchase the airfield to improve the transport infrastructure in the northwest of Ireland. The council undertook a major redevelopment programme from 1989 to 1993, spending £10.5 million to upgrade the runways, taxiways, access roads, navigation equipment, runway lighting, and build a new terminal and fire station. The new terminal was officially opened in March 1994.
The airport's name was officially changed from Londonderry Eglinton to the City of Derry Airport by the Derry City Council following nationalist support within the newly renamed council. However, as of 2014, some publications, such as the Aeronautical Information Publication, still referred to the airport as Londonderry/Eglinton. The airport is also known locally as Eglinton Airport.
Salem, Massachusetts: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines and destinations
Yes, there is an airport in Derry, known as the City of Derry Airport (IATA: LDY, ICAO: EGAE). The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland, on the south bank of Lough Foyle. The airport has experienced a decline in passenger numbers in recent years, with 179,095 passengers recorded in 2024, down from a peak of 438,996 in 2008. This decline has been attributed in part to the COVID pandemic and underfunding.
The City of Derry Airport is currently a base for the Scottish regional airline Loganair, which operates domestic flights within the UK. In 2018, Loganair offered a route from Derry to Glasgow, which was later replaced by a new route to Edinburgh. Additionally, Loganair offers flights from Derry to London Heathrow, with prices starting at $179 for a round trip.
Other airlines serving the City of Derry Airport include Ryanair, easyJet, and Volotea. Ryanair previously offered services to Alicante, Birmingham, and Faro, but these routes were discontinued in 2014 and 2016. In 2017, Ryanair also axed its daily service to London Stansted, which was subsequently taken over by Flybmi until their operations ceased in February 2019.
British Airways is another carrier operating from the City of Derry Airport, with flights to London Heathrow. Passengers can also take advantage of helicopter pilot training and charter services available at the airport.
Dallas Airport's Land Extent: How Many Acres?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Passenger numbers and statistics
The City of Derry Airport, previously known as RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport, is a regional airport located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. The airport has experienced a decline in passenger numbers in recent years, with 179,095 passengers in 2024, down from a peak of 438,996 in 2008. In 2013, about 385,000 passengers passed through the airport, but the last time passenger numbers exceeded 300,000 was in 2014. Only 204,000 people flew in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, which further impacted passenger numbers.
The decrease in passenger numbers has been attributed to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, underfunding, and the challenging economic environment. The airport has also faced competition from other airports and the cancellation of certain routes. For instance, in 2014, Ryanair axed its services to Alicante and Birmingham, followed by its service to Faro in 2016, and its daily service to London Stansted in 2017. These cancellations led the airport to submit a public service obligation request to the Department for Transport.
In response to the declining passenger numbers and financial challenges, the airport has sought financial support from the UK and Irish governments. The Northern Ireland Executive agreed to a multimillion-pound funding package, and the UK government has been subsidising Loganair's Heathrow route. Additionally, the airport has been engaging with the Irish government to explore financial support for renewed viable air routes between Derry and Dublin and Cork to Belfast under its New Decade New Approach (NDNA) commitments.
Despite the challenges, the City of Derry Airport remains a vital gateway for the North West of Ireland, offering flights to various destinations in the UK and Europe. The airport partners with airlines such as Loganair, easyJet, Ryanair, and Volotea, providing direct services to London Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Lourdes, and Verona. The airport also offers single-ticket international connections to 119 destinations across 56 countries.
Airport Codes: DCA Address and Its Significance
You may want to see also
Airport facilities and services
Yes, there is an airport in Derry. The City of Derry Airport (IATA: LDY, ICAO: EGAE) is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. It is also known as Eglinton Airport and was previously called RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport.
The airport has a range of facilities and services for passengers. The arrivals hall has recently been improved, and there are several shops and amenities in the departure area, including tax-free shopping, WHSmith, and the Amelia Earhart Business Lounge. The airport also has a fire station on-site.
A major redevelopment programme was undertaken from 1989 to 1993 with grant aid from the European Regional Development Fund. This included upgrading runways, taxiways, access roads, navigation equipment, and runway lighting, as well as the construction of a new terminal. The new terminal was officially opened in March 1994.
The airport is currently a base for the Scottish regional airline Loganair, which operates domestic flights to other parts of the UK. Other airlines serving the airport include Ryanair, easyJet, Volotea, and British Airways.
In terms of transport to and from the airport, there are several options. The Ulsterbus airport services can be caught from the Bus Depot in Derry, or Bus Eireann/Lough Swilly if travelling from Donegal and elsewhere in the Republic of Ireland. The Belfast-Derry train also serves stops on the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland, and a taxi transfer from Derry-Londonderry Train Station to the airport takes around 15 minutes.
The Anatomy of an Airport: Key Components Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the City of Derry Airport (IATA: LDY, ICAO: EGAE) is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland.
Airlines that operate from the City of Derry Airport include Loganair, Ryanair, easyJet, Volotea, British Airways, and Flybmi (which ceased operations in February 2019).
Destinations served by the City of Derry Airport include Heathrow, Edinburgh, and Glasgow in the UK, as well as Alicante and Faro internationally.
You can get to the City of Derry Airport by bus or train. The Ulsterbus airport services depart from the Bus Depot in Derry, or you can take Bus Eireann/Lough Swilly if travelling from Donegal and elsewhere in the Republic of Ireland. The Belfast-Derry train also stops at locations on the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland, and you can transfer to the airport by taxi from the Derry-Londonderry Train Station in 15 minutes.
No, the airport was previously known as RAF Eglinton and Londonderry Eglinton Airport. The name was officially changed to the City of Derry Airport in 1994 by the Derry City Council. However, as of 2014, the Aeronautical Information Publication published by the UK's National Air Traffic Services still listed the airport as Londonderry/Eglinton.
