DONEGAL Airport’s flight service to Dublin is being retained, it was confirmed today.
The Department of Transport has signed off on tender documentation – and has contacted the European Commission to allow Aer Arann to continue to operate the route until the tender process is completed in October.
The company’s current PSO tender is due to end in a couple of months.
It’s great news for local people, tourism and the business sector.
Eilis Barrett, Operations Manager for Donegal Airport told donegaldaily.com: “At a meeting this morning between Donegal Airport management and the Department of Transport it was confirmed that PSO and tender notifications for the PSO air service on the Donegal-Dublin route have been issued from the Department to the European Commission and are expected to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities this month.
“The specifications for services and schedules on the route are the same as currently exists (e.g. twice daily to Dublin including morning and evening rotations).
“It is anticipated that the new PSO air service will commence in October. In the meantime, the Department of Transport is engaged in discussions with the European Commission concerning the continuity of services on the Donegal-Dublin route until the new PSO air service contract is awarded.”
It’s understood Aer Arann will be among those tendering for the route, which is subsidised under Government policy for rural communities.