The world's media may have been firmly focused on the Hollywood set at the weekend but some Derry business stars where also shining bright at the north's own version of the transport Oscars.

Airporter, the company who provide transport links to the Belfast airports picked up a major award for innovation at the Federation of Passenger Transport, Northern Ireland's Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in the Galgorm Manor Hotel in Ballymena on Friday.

Like the Hollywood Oscars there was a red carpet reception, champagne toasts, glitter and glamour as over 200 members of the FPT gathered to honour the very best in Northern Ireland's transport industry. And Airporter was proudly waving the flag for the northwest as they picked up their accolade for innovative excellence in business.

Airporter director Jennifer McKeever and her husband and fellow director Niall where there to pick up the award at the glittering ceremony where the judges shone particular praise on the Derry company's Pick and Mix scheme, that Airporter introduced last year.

"Last year in a bid to give their customers an even better service than that they already provide, Airporter introduced what they call Pick and Mix," judges said. "Research showed that there were potential customers who were unable to use their normal services because their required travelling times fell outside the normal timetable. Pick and Mix has enabled that anomaly to be corrected, increased the company's turnover and further reduced car usage on a busy corridor."

 

"We are delighted to be honoured in this way," says Jennifer. "We work hard at tailoring our services to suit our passengers, they are, after all, what drives us forward. We introduced our Pick and Mix scheme last year in a bid to cover all our passenger's travelling needs. It now means that should a customer be going to the airport during the day they travel in one of our scheduled coaches, if they are returning from holiday in the middle of the night we provide private transfers. Our customers can pick and mix their services; it's simple and hugely popular. It's great to have a prestigious organisation like the FPT recognise our efforts like this, it makes all the hard work worthwhile."

The industry judge Mr Rob Orchard, from leading trade magazine Bus and Coach Buyer, told guests that he was overwhelmed by the progress and the massive improvements made by the local operators not just in terms of their fleets and facilities but also their commitment, enthusiasm and optimism. He said that FPT members were leading the way for all operators who were serious about their role in the future of transport in NI and that urged them to continue to work together as a unified force for the good of passengers and the whole industry.