Ryanair launches Derry-Manchester winter service

Ryanair will fly from Derry to Manchester this winter as air travel continues to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

The Irish airline said on Thursday that it will fly from Derry Airport to Manchester three times a-week beginning this winter.

Jason McGuinness, Ryanair’s director of commercial, said the carrier would continue restoring routes in the pandemic’s wake, growing passenger numbers to more than 225 million by 2026.

"Ryanair is once again calling on the UK government to scrap or suspend Air Passenger Duty (APD) to allow airlines to quickly recover connectivity, jobs and tourism in the aftermath of the pandemic," Mr McGuinness added.

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Ryanair carried 10.6m passengers last month

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He argued that the tax on air travellers left UK airports uncompetitive. The Republic’s Government axed its version of the levy in 2013.

Ryanair has opened new bases in Europe and Agadir in Morocco in recent months, according to Mr McGuinness.

“While Ryanair is committed to the UK and to Derry Airport, the lack of Government support continues to create barriers to boosting traffic and growth,” he said.