State funding of more than £1 million has been secured to maintain flights between City of Derry airport in Northern Ireland and Heathrow.
Loganair set to continue operating 20 return flights a week under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) deal from April 1.
The route is jointly funded by the Department for Transport and Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy to provide “critical connectivity” to London.
Stormont’s economy minister Conor Murphy said the route “helps thousands of people to travel to work and conduct business”.
“This investment also protects jobs for airport workers and their families,” he said.
City of Derry airport managing director Steve Frazer said: “Continuation of this connectivity from City of Derry airport to London Heathrow is vital for the northwest region [of Northern Ireland] to support our economic growth, improving both our business and tourism opportunities.
“Coupled with the fastest and most convenient access to central London, the route also provides onward connectivity to 119 destinations across 56 countries. “With this core route now secured, improved regional connectivity will help drive our inward investment and growth opportunities across the northwest.”