Donegal Airport has revealed it is assessing legal options after the Department of Transport signed a new Donegal-Dublin Public Service Obligation contract that removes the midday flight rotation.
Board Chairman Garry Martin described the process as unfair to the airport and its customers, stating the PSO fails to provide adequate connectivity for the region. The airport learned of major changes, including the end of overnight aircraft basing, through informal airline discussions in January.
The current schedule features morning and afternoon departures from Donegal with lunchtime and evening returns from Dublin, while the new timetable shifts to morning departures and evening returns from both ends starting 29 March 2026. Concerns persist over impacts on medical access, business, and tourism travellers who rely on the midday service. The Department committed to weekly reviews and monitoring for the first three months.
A delegation from Donegal Cancer Flights and Services travelled to present a petition with 15,000 signatures at Leinster House. The airport repeatedly sought discussions during the tender process but received limited engagement until after signing. Minister Darragh O’Brien confirmed the contract with Emerald Airlines maintains vital northwest connectivity.
Garry Martin shared “The purpose of a PSO is to provide connectivity for the customers in the area, that don’t have that connectivity. We feel, unfortunately, that this PSO doesn’t meet that requirement. The Department of Transport has committed to a review after three months of the ongoing performance of the route. As a board, we are currently taking legal advice in relation to that because it’s quite unprecedented.”
Cáitlín Griffin shared “The afternoon flight is vital. If you go up in the morning. They work with people to get early appointments so they can get the afternoon flight home. There was one time my appointment ran over, and I couldn’t get the afternoon flight home. It was horrendous, trying to sit somewhere where you could be warm. We don’t have any other transportation. Sitting in a car for eight hours isn’t right. We rely on this service. It’s mind boggling.”
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