Stormont to Fund City of Derry Airport

The Northern Ireland Executive is set to assume responsibility for the annual running costs of City of Derry Airport, currently around £3.45 million, relieving the financial burden from Derry City and Strabane District Council. Economy Minister Conor Murphy announced this plan in the Assembly as part of a broader economic strategy to support regional development outside of Greater Belfast. This shift would allow the council to reinvest funds into other local initiatives, promoting economic prosperity in the area. Although a timeline for the transition has not been established, the Department for the Economy is collaborating with the Department for Infrastructure to finalize the arrangements. The council welcomed this decision, citing concerns over previous funding shortfalls that threatened the airport's future. Furthermore, Murphy highlighted a new £45 million fund aimed at creating local economic partnerships and increasing staffing at Invest NI's regional offices.