The restoration of the afternoon Public Service Obligation flight between Donegal Airport and Dublin has been approved and the service will recommence operations from 1 May 2026. Transport Minister Darragh O Brien confirmed the full reinstatement of the afternoon flight rotation together with the overnighting of the aircraft at Carrickfinn Airport.
This decision addresses concerns raised by cancer patients and local communities who have relied on the midday connection as a medical lifeline for hospital appointments in Dublin.
The afternoon flight will depart Donegal at 14.30 and has returned from Dublin at 18.55 under the restored schedule. The overnight basing of the aircraft at Donegal Airport has enabled an early morning departure from Donegal at 07.55 and a return at 12.55. The changes have followed sustained campaigning by the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Group which gathered more than 20,000 signatures on a petition and have involved ongoing engagement between the Department of Transport the airline and airport management.
The previous timetable adjustment which took effect at the end of March 2026 and replaced the afternoon service with an early morning arrival from Dublin at 06.30 and a late evening departure from Donegal at 20.30. Local representatives and health service users have welcomed the reversal which has restored connectivity essential for residents in northwest Ireland. Donegal Airport has continued to operate the PSO route with Emerald Airlines and the reinstated schedule has aligned with the needs of passengers travelling for medical treatment business and family reasons.
Transport Minister Darragh O Brien shared “The afternoon services between Donegal and Dublin and the overnight retention of an aircraft at Donegal Airport An Charraig Fhinn will recommence on 1 May.”
Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Group shared in a written statement “Cancer patients in Donegal have welcomed the restoration of a flight service to Dublin that they describe as a medical lifeline.”
