Efforts to establish a direct air service between Dublin and Derry City airports took a step forward today with a ‘constructive’ cross-border meeting.
Preparatory work is already underway to restore the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin Airport by the third quarter of 2026.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien met with the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie and management of City of Derry Airport earlier today to discuss the progress to date on the air link, which was cancelled in 2011.
A Market Sounding Exercise is planned by the Department of Transport this year, to better inform the level and frequency of services that may be required.
Minister O’Brien said: “In the context of building our shared Island, the Programme for Government includes a very clear commitment to engage with relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry City airports. We had a very constructive meeting today on progressing this commitment, and once the preparatory work is completed, I expect services will commence later in 2026 following a procurement process.”
Attendees at today’s meeting were Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Charlie McConalogue; Donegal County Council Chief Executive John McLaughlin; Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council John Kelpie; Chairman of City of Derry Airport Albert Harrison; Deputy Chairman of City of Derry Airport Paul Byrne; Director of City of Derry Airport Seamus Neely; Managing Director of City of Derry Airport Steve Frazer; and Department of Transport officials.
Caption for pic attached: Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, who met with Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien and department officials along with a delegation from City of Derry Airport which included Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Albert Harrison, Deputy Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Paul Byrne, Director City of Derry Airport, Seamus Neely, and Managing Director of City of Derry Airport, Steve Frazer.
Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, said the meeting was an extremely positive development.
He said: “We had a good and productive meeting with Minister O’Brien this afternoon. Work on re-establishing air connectivity between Derry and Dublin airports has been ongoing for the last number of months and it was good to have members of City of Derry Airport meet with Minister O’Brien and his team.
“Getting the Derry-Dublin route back up and running again is included in the Programme For Government and is something that we are very much committed to. I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of Minister O’Brien and his officials, Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, the team at Shared Islands, the board of City of Derry Airport, Derry-Strabane Council and Donegal County Council,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy added.
“I’m looking forward to seeing City of Derry Airport being leveraged to deliver air connectivity to Dublin and to other parts of the world through Dublin Airport. We are fortunate that we have several routes out of Derry, including Heathrow.
“I’m looking forward to building on today’s meeting and to seeing flights leaving from Derry to Dublin next year for the first time since 2011. It’s important that things proceed now within the timeline outlined and I will continue to work with Minister O’Brien and Derry City Airport as well as both councils to maintain progress,” he added.
As tender documents for the procurement process are due to be drawn up, Minister McConalogue added: “The key to continued and future development and prosperity for the northwest is connectivity, and the reinstatement of the Derry-Dublin air route will significantly benefit the tourism and employment sectors.”
