Derry-based Airporter has passed a major milestone, serving more than 1.5 million passengers since it first opened.
The company provides a direct service from Derry-Londonderry to both Belfast airports.
It opened in 1996 with two drivers and around 5,000 customers a year. It now serves over 155,000 customers annually, and the number of staff has trebled in the last four years, with more than 30 drivers now employed. Airporter operates 21 vehicles.
Demand has increased sharply in recent years, driven by increased tourism and more commuters.
In 2018 it invested £1m in a new depot, and moved its passenger pick-up point to the city centre in partnership with Foyleside Shopping Centre.
It has also invested heavily in digital technology, and almost 100% of its bookings are now made online.
Jennifer McKeever, Director, says: “Reaching this milestone of 1.5 million customers is an incredible achievement and something that we’re very proud of.
“It is testament to the hard work, professionalism and excellent customer service from our staff that Airporter has become first choice for so many people travelling to and from the North West.
“We’ve seen rapid growth in the last few years and a big part of this is due to an increase in tourism as more people than ever are visiting our city and region.
“The Derry Girls phenomenon has been a great addition to the tourism offering this year and it’s exciting to see how screen tourism is starting to bring in new visitors from new markets.
“We’ve always been really proud of our willingness to innovate and do more. We opened the year after the first Easyjet flight in direct response to that model of quick and easy transport, and we were the first coach company in Northern Ireland to invest in an online booking system, so while this growth is an incredible achievement, we’re already thinking about how we can be better.”
