City Of Derry Airport passenger numbers drop 40,000

Numbers went down from 450,191 to 406,083 in a recent report from Derry City Council. Under the circumstancesof recession and the drastic cut in consumer spending, a drop of the region of 10% isn't too bad. I wouldn't personally read into the "plummet" headlines that the press are issuing.

Airlines can put positive spin on anything. Most airlines are saying that passenger load factors are up but that's because they are grounding planes (EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 have grounded planes or put them in a reduced rotation) and flights left right and centre, it systematically pushes the load factor figures up. Airports on the otherhand don't have anywhere to hide on the figures, your footfall is either up or down.

Ryanair go 100% online check-in from 2010.

From the CEO that won't buy any office stationery.... Ryanair are going to cease using check-in desks at airports in a cost cutting plan. Early next year will see Ryanair do 100% online check-in based on the fact that 75% of passengers are already using the online check-in already.

That'll nice news for check in staff at City of Derry and Belfast City to hear no doubt.