A public survey has opened seeking views on the future of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between City of Derry Airport and London. The consultation will remain open until midnight on June 24, 2026, according to Derry City and Strabane District Council.

The existing PSO service, which has connected the North West to London since 2017, is due to be replaced by a new contract beginning April 1, 2027. The council stated that feedback will help shape key elements including route details, flight frequency, scheduling and pricing.

Residents, businesses and regular travellers can participate through the council’s online consultation platform. The council described the route as important for tourism, investment and regional economic development.

Mayor Cllr Grace Uí Niallais said the airport is a strategically vital asset and that maintaining strong connectivity to London is critical for the region’s competitiveness and accessibility.

Steve Frazer, managing director of City of Derry Airport, said the success of the route depends on it meeting user needs. The consultation will help determine the preferred London airport, flight times, aircraft capacity, fare structures and overall passenger demand. He noted that passenger numbers continue to grow.

The new PSO contract will run for four years and is jointly funded by the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. City of Derry Airport currently operates three daily PSO flights to London Heathrow, along with year-round services to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. It also offers seasonal routes, charter flights and facilities for private aircraft.

The airport has served the North West for more than 40 years, handling 225,000 passengers in the 2025/26 financial year, with a 30% growth forecast for 2026/27.