The North West is continuing to demonstrate its capacity for growth, with strong passenger figures at City of Derry Airport (CoDA) and a major milestone for one of the region’s leading technology employers highlighting the breadth of investment and opportunity across the region.

City of Derry Airport is recording the strongest passenger growth of any airport on the island of Ireland, with June passenger numbers reaching 21,742 – an increase of 22.6% on the same month last year and 28.8% ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

The airport has recorded particularly strong growth throughout 2026, with passenger numbers for the first six months of the year reaching 120,151, up 16.3% on the same period in 2025 and almost 29% ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

The continued increase in passenger numbers underlines the importance of CoDA as a key piece of regional infrastructure, supporting connectivity, tourism and the wider North West economy. The airport is also preparing for the introduction of a new twice-daily Public Service Obligation (PSO) service to Dublin, expected to begin in October, while plans are progressing for improvements to baggage handling capacity and ongoing investment in the terminal.

Managing Director of City of Derry Airport, Steve Frazer, said:

“To see the City of Derry Airport recording the strongest passenger growth on the island of Ireland is a significant achievement, and demonstrates the important role CoDA plays in supporting our region’s economy.

“We are continuing to invest in the airport and develop our connectivity, with the new Dublin PSO service due to commence later this year. We want to build on the demand we are seeing, and ensure City of Derry Airport continues to play a central role in supporting the North West’s growth.”

At the same time, the North West continues to attract and grow investment from major international employers, with Allstate Northern Ireland marking 25 years in the region.

Since establishing its presence in the North West, Allstate has created hundreds of high-quality jobs while investing in local talent, education partnerships, innovation and community initiatives. Its continued commitment is reflected in the opening of a new Derry office in 2024 and the launch of the North West Digital Hub and Future Innovators Competition in 2025.

Allstate has also become a longstanding supporter of the wider business community, including through its sponsorship of the Innovation and Technology Award at the North West Business Awards, while its employees continue to contribute to local communities through volunteering and charitable initiatives.

Stephen McKeown, Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland, said:

“The North West has changed significantly over the past quarter century, and we are proud to have played our part in that journey. Through continued investment in our people, our new office, partnerships with schools and universities, and initiatives such as the North West Digital Hub, we remain committed to helping develop the next generation of technology talent.

“Our ambition is to continue creating opportunities that benefit our employees and the wider region for many years to come.”

For Derry Chamber, these developments point to a wider positive trend of growth for the North West. Taken together, the growth in passenger numbers at City of Derry Airport and Allstate’s 25-year investment in the region provide a clear indication of the progress made across the North West. From strengthening international connectivity to developing a highly skilled technology workforce, these milestones reflect an economy that has grown in both scale and confidence. Building on this progress will be key to ensuring the North West can continue to grow its economy and realise the significant opportunities ahead.