Economy Minister Dr today announced that her
department has assumed responsibility for providing annual
operating funding of up to £3million for the City of Derry
Airport (CoDA) from 1 April 2025.
The Minister said: “This announcement is great news for
the North-West and is another example of my commitment to
regional balance. It will enable the airport to plan for
future growth in the years ahead.
“The airport serves more than the Derry City and Strabane
regions. It plays a vital part in the economic development
of the entire North-West.
“The funding will enable Derry City and Strabane District
Council to use the Council funds it previously provided the
airport, towards supporting the North-West's ongoing
competitiveness and ability to trade, attract inward investment
and inbound tourism.”
Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport said:
“Today's announcement is pivotal for the future stability of City
of Derry Airport to continue serving as key infrastructure
connecting people to and from our North-West gateway. This
announcement ensures we are well placed to continue supporting
the regions ambitious growth plans and our continued contribution
to the region's economy.
“We'd like to thank Minister Archibald and her predecessor for recognising the value of
CODA's contribution, providing connectivity for our residents,
visitors, business community and investors across the whole
North-West and beyond.
It is also very important today to recognise the decades of
support from Derry City and Strabane District Council which has
allowed the airport to continue providing connectivity and
contributing to economic growth for all areas across the
North-West.”
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr
Lilian Seenoi Barr said: “This long-term financial commitment
over four years provides a much-needed bedrock of stability,
allowing the Council and City of Derry Airport to strategically
plan for sustainable growth and development of the Airport.
This four-year funding package very substantially reduces the
financial burden from Council and local ratepayers and provides
the airport with stability to allow it to fully realise its
potential as a key economic driver for the North-West region. The
City of Derry Airport is a critical infrastructure asset that
provides connectivity and is fundamental to business and tourism
in the area. I want to acknowledge and welcome the Government's
recognition of the strategic importance of the Airport to the
city and region in terms of the significant role it plays in
economic connectivity and providing local employment.”
Notes to editors:
- On 10 June 2024, both the then Economy and Infrastructure
Ministers agreed that there were advantages to locating all
aspects of air connectivity and airport policy in one department
This included transferring responsibility for the provision of
funding to DCSDC for the future sustainability of CoDA from DfI
to DfE.
- In October 2024 the Economy Minister launched the
Sub-Regional Economic Plan which placed regional
balance at its heart and aimed to deliver improved regional
balance across Northern Ireland. In his speech to launch the
plan the Minister Murphy identified supporting the funding of
CoDA as an example of Department boosting the economy of the
North-West region.
- The funding of up to £3million annually is for the
period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2029.
