The Irish Government has proceeded with a new Public Service Obligation contract for the Donegal to Dublin air route, which removes afternoon flights and introduces a revised schedule from 29 March 2026.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed the Department has awarded the contract to Emerald Airlines to ensure service continuation from 25 February, with the current timetable remaining until the end of March. Campaigners in the north west have voiced strong opposition to the changes, which shift to morning departures from Donegal and Dublin alongside evening returns.
Donegal Cancer Flights and Services expressed concern that the alterations will sever a medical lifeline for cancer patients by limiting same-day access to appointments in Dublin. The group assists patients with flight bookings, counselling, and related support. Around 200 people attended a protest at Donegal Airport, while politicians including Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty and Fianna Fáil’s Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher criticised the decision for increasing risks of delays, cancellations, and reduced reliability.
The Department of Transport revealed the route will undergo weekly review, with performance reports for the first three months. Donegal Airport stated the twice-daily service since 2004 has relied on an aircraft overnighting locally, and the new early morning Dublin departure lacks market demand. Minister O’Brien committed to meeting representatives from Donegal Cancer Flights and Services.
Pearse Doherty shared “What makes this decision even more disgraceful is that it was signed knowing that a delegation from Donegal was travelling to Dublin tomorrow to meet with the Government. That delegation represents over 500 cancer patients in Donegal. They were coming to hand over a petition signed by more than 15,000 people calling on the Government to protect this service.”
Máire Uí Chomhaill shared “We, as a committee, are extremely disappointed. We will be travelling to Dublin tomorrow to meet Department officials. The minister is not available. Our belief is that this will not work. We are so annoyed that PSO money is being spent on flights coming down at 6.30am and return at 8.30am, people won’t be on those flights.”
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