Sky's the limit as new flights take off from City of Derry Airport

City of Derry Airport – the Gateway of the Northwest will welcome the reinstatement of the Dublin service, as easyJet, Loganair and Ryanair launch their summer schedules, and European Charters take flight.

As passenger numbers at City of Derry Airport increased by 23% in 2025 with the rapid expansion of services, this trend looks set to continue in 2026 with the launch of new flights and increased frequency on existing services taking off.

City of Derry Airport has remained committed to ensuring the successful reestablishment of air connectivity between Dublin and the Northwest for a number of years, and October 2025 brought the welcome announcement from the Irish Government that a PSO service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin will be reinstated in 2026.

The new airlink will provide a gateway for corporate, leisure, and student travellers, as well as those visiting friends and relatives, across Donegal and beyond. The air connectivity to Dublin will remove the pain of a road journey of up to four hours for travellers in the Northwest, providing more opportunity for productivity, rest and enjoyment for business and leisure passengers.

The new service will also undoubtedly yield a valuable contribution towards growing inbound tourism, a key economic driver to the Northwest economy, both directly from Dublin, and internationally as tourists visiting Ireland via Dublin can now add the beautiful Northwest to their itinerary.

Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport, outlined that the reinstatement of the Dublin service marks another significant step forward in delivering enhanced air connectivity for the Northwest region: “The route represents a strategic opportunity for us to strengthen regional connectivity, improve vital access for business and tourism, support economic growth and promote balanced regional development.

“Details on the airline operating the service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin, and when the flights will be going on sale, will be confirmed in Spring/Summer 2026.”

City of Derry Airpor welcomed easyJet to the Northwest for the first time in history in November 2024 with services to Edinburgh and Liverpool. The airline has since launched an additional service to Birmingham in September 2025, indicating the success of easyJet in the region in this short period, and already the largest carrier by volume.

Loganair’s three times daily London Heathrow service offers a convenient gateway to central London for business travellers in Donegal, as well as access to 119 international destinations on a single-ticket fare. The international connections available from City of Derry Airport has brought a new wave of global travellers using the Airport over the last few years, with the top connecting destinations outlined as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, and the top connecting airlines shown as British Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways.

Loganair’s direct services to Glasgow and Ryanair’s services to Manchester remain in demand for business, leisure and student travellers, and those regularly visiting family and friends, as the summer schedule is due to launch at the end of March 2026.

easyJet, Ryanair & Loganair fly from City of Derry Airport (Image Credit – Michael McElroy)

January saw the take-off of Topflight for School’s ski charters to Verona for secondary schools across the Northwest for the third consecutive year. The ski programme has proved hugely popular with 2026 completely sold out and the 2027 programme already on sale.

Joe Walsh Tours’ pilgrimages to Lourdes and Marian Tours pilgrimages to Medjugorje will take to the skies in Summer 2026. Pilgrimage offerings from City of Derry Airport are growing every year to meet the demand from the local region.

Steve Frazer commented: “As the ‘Gateway for the Northwest’ for over 40 years, the air connectivity from City of Derry Airport supports the Northwest’s thriving regional development plans. It’s wonderful to see travellers across the Northwest enjoying the benefits of flying local.

“With 10 minutes from car to bar, ease and convenience are key at City of Derry Airport. We offer exceptional rates on airport parking with a week’s parking available from just €43.53 / £38.04, and the Amelia Earhart Lounge is one of the best priced Airport Lounges in the UK at just €18.88 / £16.50pp, offering travellers with a tranquil space to simply relax in before boarding.”

Relax and enjoy views of the runway at the Amelia Earhart Lounge

“As a team, we pride ourselves on providing customer service excellence and inclusive travel for all, having been awarded with the Impact Award from Autism NI, and we were the first Airport in Northern Ireland to welcome the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. The compact single-level Terminal Building additionally provides a convenient journey through for anyone with a disability or reduced mobility.”

As to what 2026 will bring for City of Derry Airport, Mr. Frazer stated: “Demand for access to the Northwest from international leisure, corporate markets, and university students, means that the Airport is in a position to bring further tourism opportunities and economic growth to the local region.

“We will continue to work on the further expansion of our route network with existing partners, as well as the development of additional travel partnerships, that can best fulfil the travel requirements of the Northwest.”

For more information on the flight services available from City of Derry Airport, visit www.cityofderryairport.com.

Sky’s the limit as new flights take off from City of Derry Airport was last modified: February 25th, 2026 by Rachel McLaughlin

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