The Dublin-based subsidiary of London-listed bus company First Group has bought north west Northern Ireland coach company Airporter for an undisclosed sum.
Aircoach has acquired the company’s Springtown Industrial Estate base in Londonderry and said all drivers and operational staff will transfer to the new company.
Airporter was founded in 1996 by Niall and Jennifer McKeever to run bus services between the north west to Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport. It said it has carried some two million passengers in that time.
Aircoach said it will introduce a service linking Derry, Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre following the acquisition. It is due to launch in the coming weeks.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for Aircoach with the creation of an all-island service for the first time,” Dervla McKay, Managing Director of Aircoach, said. “This has been made possible with the acquisition of Airporter, a company which has served customers so well for over 25 years to and from the North West.
“The deal marks a great step forward for Aircoach and we look forward to launching the new route in due course.”
She said the development of road infrastructure to Derry had an influence on the deal.
“The progress on the completion of the A6 is improving travel time and increasing the viability of this route like never before. Aircoach is fully committed to ensuring that the North West is connected to major travel and economic hubs to improve the attractiveness of the region as a place in which to invest.”
“It’s a very exciting time for Aircoach as we expand our presence to the North-West and we look forward to working with our new colleagues and customers for many years to come.”
