‘In effect the licensed premises may trade whenever the airport is in operation.’ That’s how the Department for Communities summed up a small but telling change at City of Derry Airport, which now carries official “international airport” status for licensing purposes. The Order took effect on 2 April 2026. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

The move is set out in The Licensing (City of Derry Airport) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026, designating the airport under Article 53 of the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. From this date, alcohol service inside the qualifying airside area follows flight schedules rather than the standard pub clock. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

Under Article 41 of the 1996 Order, selling, buying or consuming alcohol outside permitted hours is normally prohibited. But that restriction doesn’t apply to licensed premises within an HMRC‑approved examination station at any airport named as international under Article 53(1). In short, the airside bar can open when the airport is operating. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

Before this change, the airport’s licensed premises were tied to general hours: pubs 11:30am–11:00pm Monday to Saturday and 12:30pm–11:00pm on Sunday; off‑licences 8:00am–11:00pm Monday to Saturday and 10:00am–10:00pm on Sunday. Those times now give way to flight‑led trading inside the approved zone. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

The Department says it is satisfied City of Derry Airport shows ‘a substantial amount of international passenger traffic’ and that passengers can access hot and cold non‑alcoholic drinks in the premises at all times-conditions required for designation under Article 53. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

Crucially, the flexibility applies only within the examination station approved under section 22 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979-the part of the airport beyond security. Landside outlets remain bound by ordinary permitted hours. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

Equality screening by the Department for Communities concluded no full EQIA was needed and recorded the policy as ‘new’. For travellers and staff, the practical effect is straightforward: earlier starts and later finishes are now possible airside when flights demand it. (communities-ni.gov.uk)

For a region that relies on steady, reliable connections, the change removes a long‑standing quirk of the licensing code at Derry’s airport. It won’t transform the route map on its own, but it does let concession operators match service to first‑wave departures and late arrivals without tripping over the old hours. (communities-ni.gov.uk)