Northern Ireland Civil Service secures travel savings through new deals

The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) has announced that it can now access cheaper air travel deals for transport between Northern Ireland and GB.

The ‘Government Air Programme’ allows the NICS to take advantage of fare deals on the most frequently used routes as negotiated by the Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions. The fare deals have been agreed with several airlines to enable public servants across the UK to avail of cost effective travel.

The routes covered by these arrangements include flights from Belfast City and International Airports to London and other UK regional airports. Following an open tendering competition, the successful airlines under the Government Air Programme (for NICS) are;

Aer Lingus (Belfast International to London Heathrow), bmi (George Best Belfast City Airport to London Heathrow), and Flybe (George Best Belfast City Airport to London Gatwick and other UK regional airports).

A spokesman for the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) within DFP said: “CPD’s aim is to deliver improved value for money arrangements across all central government bodies through open, transparent procurement solutions including, as appropriate, both local and national collaborative deals.

“The governing principles of the NICS for a number of years have been that all staff should use the most efficient and economic means of travel, taking account not only of the cost of the travel, but also subsistence costs and savings in official time. Where it is not possible for the Government Air Programme to deliver this then staff may use other routes and/or airlines. Departments may only consider an alternative to the most economical flight option where there is a clear business reason to do so.”

Collaborative arrangements such as these are increasingly used to ensure the best value possible when procuring goods and services.

The spokesman concluded: “The use of the Government Air Programme will result in significant savings on published fares on these routes.”

Notes to Editors:

Media enquiries to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.