Secondary Audit Finds Remedial Repairs Satisfactory

City of Derry airport was cleared by the Civil Aviation Authority to reopen, after being shut down last week amid safety concerns that arose after a routine inspection. The airport was back in business as of midnight Monday.

As ANN reported, the CAA, the UK's aviation regulator, decided to provisionally suspend the City of Derry's license Thursday as the result of safety concerns that developed during its inspection including lack of an effective bird control plan, unsuitable temporary repairs to an aircraft parking area and poor runway drainage.

The CAA conducted another audit of safety standards and inspectors are "satisfied" with remedial work done, according to Belfast Today News. Some of the work completed was improvements to the bird management system including covering culverts and ponds with nets.

Council member Joe Miller, a spokesman for the Derry City Council-owned airport, said, "A team has worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure that optimum safety standards are met and agreed remedial actions along with a full audit of the aerodrome and a review of the safety management system are in place.

"This is a positive result and we will move forward with confidence that we are working closely with the CAA and with their approval."

According to the Irish Times, problems first arose after a public inquiry into airport extension plans. The resultant reviews and inspections brought the issues to light.

British Airways and charter services are to resume on Tuesday and Ryanair's schedule will start on Wednesday.

FMI: www.cityofderryairport.com, www.caa.co.uk