bmi regional has commenced its new service between London Stansted and City of Derry Airport, with dignitaries from both destinations there to celebrate the launch.

Passengers arriving on the first in-bound flight and the connecting outbound flight were treated to cake and coffee to celebrate the launch.

The service is the latest in a host of new routes for bmi regional and will offer twice daily rotations every day except Saturdays (when there will be one flight each way).

The convenient timetables will appeal to both business and leisure travellers, making it easy to do the round-trip in a day.

Northern Ireland’s second city, Derry is an economic, creative and cultural hub.

In 2013, it was named the UK City of Culture thanks to its winning combination of rich cultural heritage and vibrant social scene.

The only completely walled city in Ireland and the UK, it is a bustling, youthful city with great restaurants, bars, museums and more.

It is also the gateway to the wider north-west and its spectacular coastline, which is regularly used for big film productions including the latest Star Wars franchise and Game of Thrones, as well as being the starting point for both the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route.

Jochen Schnadt, chief commercial officer, bmi regional, commented: “The launch of this important new route, bmi regional’s first to/from Northern Ireland, connects business and leisure travellers from the capital and East Anglia to the North West region of Ireland.

“Given Derry’s recent and sustained period of economic growth, significant investment in new jobs and the various future growth projects, we are positive that the enhanced double-daily connectivity bmi regional’s new service offers will generate additional activity in the market.

“It has become one of our fastest selling route launches and we are very pleased with customer acceptance of our latest service.

Fares start from £44 one way.