Work has begun to re-establish a Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin Airport in 2026.
Earlier this year the government committed to reintroduce the air link, which was cancelled in 2011.
Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue held a recent meeting with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien and said: “During our meeting, Minister O’Brien confirmed that his officials are working closely with the Shared Island Unit of the Department of the Taoiseach to agree a funding model for the PSO,” he added.
“Minister O’Brien said that similar to the work being progressed for the retendering of the Donegal-Dublin PSO, the imposition of a PSO air service in 2026 requires a number of steps to be undertaken. These are being progressed by the Department through a number of stages, with the aim of having the contract to operate the service on the route commencing October 2026,” Minister McConalogue commented.
“Minister O’Brien has agreed to meet with senior officials from City of Derry Airport to discuss the Derry-Dublin PSO further in June – a development I very much welcome. City of Derry Airport is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the North West and I will continue to work with the airport and Government colleagues with the objective of getting the Derry-Dublin PSO up and running,” he added.
“The reestablishment of the Derry-Dublin PSO would be a major boost to the region as connectivity from the Northwest through the City of Derry Airport is crucial for the economic development of the North West concluded Minister McConalogue.”
