SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to protect services at City of Derry Airport.
His comments came after Ryanair announced they are discontinuing their service between Derry and London along with their summer route to Faro in Portugal.
Ryanair also announced that they would be reducing the frequency of their flights between Derry and Liverpool.
Mr Eastwood said: “Businesses in Derry are already operating in an extremely difficult trading environment.
“Ryanair’s announcement will come as a bitter blow to them as they try to create jobs in market that depends on effective transport infrastructure.
“A thriving airport is essential for the economic development of the North West and for too long has the local council been expected to carry the burden alone.
“The Executive put up £9million to save the route between New York and Belfast and the people of Derry deserve no less.
“The Scottish Government acted quickly and decisively to protect their regional airports and the Executive must now do the same.
“The Dublin Government could also help by moving to reinstate PSO funding for the route between Derry and Dublin.”
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