OPINION : In defence of City of Derry Airport

This week Councillor John Boyle (SDLP) warned that Derry City and Strabane District Council risked insolvency due to a loss in major revenue streams. He claimed that the organisation could face such a moment by the end of this year.

What will undoubtedly be on the chopping block is the council-funded City of Derry Airport. Despite aiming to reduce its need for subsidy year on year, the airport still runs at a cost to the rate payer. However, it is uncalculatable how much it brings into the wider city economy through investment and the potential for future development which could turn the airport into a key business travel hub for the city region.

It is easy to argue that the airport should simply be shut and a few million a year should be sliced off of the council’s budget. But this short-term view risks jeopardising the effectiveness of things like the City Deal due to bring a large financial package to the city. Investors don’t like places more interested in scaling back infrastructure rather than expanding it, Derry needs investment badly and can only do this by having an attractive offering.

Small city airports mightn’t be great for offering competitive package holiday options, but they are great for business.

The small ‘London City’ Airport is oft cited as a huge financial drain and not worthy of comparison with large airports like Heathrow located just outside the sprawling Greater London. However, it is a firm favourite for those travelling to Canary Wharf and the city of London to do business from across the UK and some western European cities.

If used as part of a larger joined up strategy City of Derry Airport could do this for the city economy and end up creating a ‘multiplier’ effect.

This means that for every pound spent by ratepayers there will be a return higher than the initial cost. Stormont has never been strategic when it comes to modern air travel and undoubtedly many would be happy to see the mothballing of the only airport west of the Bann.

We had the bizarre sight of a Coleraine Tory councillor being given airtime a few years ago calling for the closure of the airport. Not only was it outside of his borough, it was outside of his jurisdiction and frankly his electoral mandate.

If the Executive are persuaded to come forth with another rescue package, then I hope it is part of an ‘all airport’ strategy which places key routes where investment can be enticed into Northern Ireland.

If DCSDC are faced with insolvency they will be joining Causeway, Coast and Glens Borough Council on the list of cash strapped local authorities. Perhaps instead of calling for divestment in assets of their nearest (also only) city, the politicians of this borough should use their influence to promote the mutual success of Derry and its closest neighbour, the North coast.