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22 Oct 2025

Ireland's newest airline to have cheaper flights and bigger planes on Donegal route

New services set to take-off next Saturday

Ireland's newest airline to have cheaper flights and bigger planes on Donegal route

Cheaper flights and bigger aircraft are on the way for passengers using Ireland’s newest airline which is set to begin flights from Donegal Airport later this month, Donegal Live can reveal.

Emerald Airlines will operate its inaugural flight between Donegal Airport and Dublin Airport on Saturday, February 26.

The company is set to take over services on the state-subsidised route from Swedish carrier Amapola Flyg which was awarded a contract last July to operate the flights.

Amapola stepped in following the collapse of Stobart Air on June 12, 2021.

In January, Emerald Airlines was selected as the new operator of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air route between Donegal and Dublin.

Emerald Airlines and Aer Lingus recently announced their accelerated plans for the launch of regional routes, with tickets already on sale. 

The flights operated under a franchise agreement by Emerald Airlines will commence on February 26 as Aer Lingus Regional. 

The good news for users of the services is that cheaper flights are on the way with a typical round trip (various ticket options are available) being €56.43 return.

Flights on the current Amapola service, according to online booking, generally range from €55 to €80 each way - so considerable savings could be made.

Amapola operates a Fokker 50 aircraft on the Donegal route. The Fokker 50 is a turbo-prop aircraft that can seat 50 passengers including three crew.

Emerald Airlines will use ATR72-600 aircraft, the latest generation of turboprop aircraft which have a significant environmental advantage over regional jets and other turboprop aircraft emitting up to 40% less CO2 on short, regional flights. Depending on the seating configuration, they can carry up to 78 passengers.

There will be two return flights daily. Booking online is now available.

The Aer Lingus regional network has more than 30 routes connecting Ireland, Britain, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

The service feeds passengers to Aer Lingus North American flights at Dublin, to and from British regional airports, as well as connecting destinations in the two areas.

Emerald Airlines is also establishing a base at George Best Belfast City Airport, and intends to fly to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, and Leeds Bradford.

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