Council chiefs in Londonderry were today locked in discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority after flights were suspended to and from the city's airport because of safety concerns.

In an unprecedented move, the CAA suspended the licence of City of Derry Airport after an inspection raised concerns about the drainage of the runway, the facility for parking planes and its bird control plan.

The mood among passengers arriving at the airport this morning was an angry one.

Gary McLaughlin, a businessman, said he was treating six business colleagues by taking them to tomorrow's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Dunfermline.

He summed up passengers' feelings: "It's disgraceful, but it's also typical of Derry City Council. It's another waste of ratepayers' money and this is coming from a businessman who pays £60,000 per year in rates. I phoned them last night and they phoned me back at 11.10pm. They told me to book in by 8.30am, but when we came down we were told the desk didn't open until 9.30am."

Airport manager Seamus Devine had to fly out of Belfast this morning along with Derry City Council chiefs for emergency talks with the CAA in London.

Mr Devine today claimed the CAA inspection of the airport occurred on May 16 and 17, eight days before a letter was received ordering that the airport's licence be withdrawn at midnight yesterday.

Speaking on radio before going to London this morning, Mr Devine said he was "absolutely devastated".

He also revealed that the CAA had inspected the airport at the request of its owners Derry City Council.

The move followed a recent public inquiry into the council-issued vesting orders on homes in the Donnybrewer area to make way for a runway safety zone.

Mr Devine said today: "We invited them to come along and carry out the inspection. We had no further communication with the CAA until yesterday morning."

He added: "We are asking the passengers to bear with us in this very difficult circumstance."

Ryanair, which operates services between Londonderry and London Stansted, Glasgow, East Midlands and Liverpool, cancelled all its flights just hours after announcing a new route to Bristol yesterday.

Passengers on British Airways flights to Dublin and Glasgow International were advised to check in at City of Derry to board buses taking them to Belfast International where the flights have been rescheduled.

City of Derry Airport, which is run by the city council and also handles package holiday flights, is a vital air transport link for the north west of Ireland - not only serving passengers in Co Londonderry, but also over the boarder in Co Donegal.

Stormont Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy expressed deep concern about the suspension of the airport's operating licence.

The Sinn Fein minister confirmed he had contacted the British Aviation Minister Gillian Merron to help resolve the situation.

City of Derry Airport insisted they placed safety as a top priority.

The management said they were working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

It also said customers who are booked on any of the cancelled flights, may claim a full refund.