Brexit poses a "challenge" for the City of Derry Airport, which requires £6 million in financial support to allow it continue to operate beyond March of 2021.
According to The Irish Times, Derry City and Strabane District Council, which owns the City of Derry Airport, said that the airport has experienced a drop in passenger numbers and stated, "Brexit uncertainty poses risks for load factors and income levels.
"The continued uncertainty around Brexit presents a significant further challenge to the airport and the north west city region. Given the proximity of the airport to the border and a significant proportion of passengers coming from Donegal, a significant risk exists which needs to be managed. The sustainability of the airport is critical at this time of significant uncertainty."
Request For British Government Assistance
The council said that to ensure the airport remains open until March of 2021, it will have to provide further funding of up to £750,000 on top of the £2.145 million in yearly funding with which it currently provides the airport, and that after March of 2021, the airport's future is uncertain without the guarantee of significant new financial assistance from the British government.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is now planning to ask the British government for "financial assistance to secure the sustainability of the City of Derry Airport beyond March 2021".
© 2019 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
