Loganair has commenced operations between Derry and London Stansted.

The move comes after the carrier was selected as the new operator for the public service obligation for the route following the collapse of bmi Regional.

The inaugural service set-off at 07:05, after a short ceremony at the airport sound-tracked by a traditional Scottish piper and attended by Loganair’s managing director, Jonathan Hinkles.

A return service from London Stansted arrived into Derry at 10:35 and both trips were operated by a 49-seat Embraer 145 aircraft.

Loganair is providing two services each weekday and on Sundays alongside a single Saturday flight as part of a Derry City and Strabane District Council public service obligation contract.

It is the airline’s second route from City of Derry Airport, adding to its Glasgow to Derry service which launched last October.

The carrier also recently announced a daily schedule to Manchester, again on board at 49-seat Embraer 145 jet aircraft.

Hinkles said: “We are very pleased to be able to continue the vital air link between Derry and London Stansted.

“Bookings have extremely been positive which only re-enforces how important this route is to the region.

“We look forward to building on a successful start with the new Derry to Manchester schedule starting the May 24th.

“Both Stansted and Manchester will operate on our Embraer 145 jet aircraft, and with our existing Glasgow service brings the total routes served by Loganair from Derry to three.”