‘This campaign showed Donegal at its best: resilience, unity, dignity’

The Donegal-Dublin midday flight rotation and overnighting of the aircraft at Donegal Airport will be restored from Friday, May 1. 

The confirmation comes as the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, announced the full reinstatement of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract, effective in four weeks. Under the restored schedule, the aircraft will once again be based overnight at Carrickfinn, facilitating an early morning departure from Donegal at 7:55am, returning at 12.55pm.

The afternoon flight will depart Donegal at 2.30pm and return from Dublin at 6.55pm. Passengers who have booked flights on the early-morning departure from Dublin or the late-evening departure from Carrickfinn after May 1 will be accommodated by Emerald Airlines/Aer Lingus.

“This is a hugely significant day for Donegal,” Donegal Cancer Flights & Services shared. “It is a moment of relief and recognition for the many cancer patients, families, workers, businesses, and communities who depend on this vital lifeline. The restoration of this service, including the reinstatement of the full schedule, is not simply a transport decision. It is an acknowledgement of the reality of life in Donegal and of the essential importance of connectivity for our people.

“From the very beginning, Donegal Cancer Flights & Services was clear, consistent and resolute: this service is not a luxury, it is a necessity. For cancer patients travelling for treatment, for families attending appointments, for people accessing healthcare, and for communities maintaining vital links with the rest of the country, this service is absolutely essential. The decision by the Minister for Transport is a powerful affirmation of what the people of Donegal have said from the outset: this service matters, and it had to be fully restored without question.”

The Department of Transport had previously signed a contract which removed the afternoon rotation, effective from Sunday, March 29. The decision has now been reversed due to strong backlash and criticism from Donegal Cancer Flights & Services, who campaigned, met with the Minister for Transport and garnered 20,000 signatures on a petition. 

Moreover, Donegal Airport, Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty, and Fianna Fáil’s Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher and Independent Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig have been fighting for the reinstatement of the flight service, as well as Majella O’Donnell, who highlighted the issue on the Late Late Show. 

“The Donegal Cancer Flights & Services Committee wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to every single person who stood with us throughout this campaign. To the Cancer patients and families who shared their stories with courage and dignity; to the wider Donegal community at home and abroad who rallied behind this cause; to all those who signed petitions, travelled to Dublin, contacted public representatives, spoke out in the media, and helped keep public attention focused on this critical issue; to the students of Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair for their remarkable contribution, and to the Cancer Support Centres nationwide, this result belongs to all of you. This was a true grassroots community campaign, and today it is clear that the united voice of the people has been heard.

“We also wish to acknowledge and thank all our local public representatives, across political parties and none, as well as the media who supported the campaign, raised the issue consistently, and stood with the people of Donegal at a critical time. Their advocacy and engagement helped ensure that this issue remained firmly on the national agenda.

“We also acknowledge and thank Donegal Airport for its support throughout this campaign. Donegal Cancer Flights & Services also wishes to thank the Minister for Transport for bringing this matter to a successful conclusion. We are grateful that the Minister and his officials listened, engaged, and acted. The announcement represents the right decision, one rooted in fairness, reality, and above all in the clear needs of the people of Donegal and we warmly welcome it.

“This campaign showed Donegal at its very best: resilience, unity, dignity and determination, both within the county and among our friends and supporters further afield. When our community stood together and spoke with one united voice, it could not be ignored. Today is a day for celebration, but it is also a reminder that ordinary people can achieve real change when they stand firmly together for a just cause.

“Donegal Cancer Flights & Services thanks everyone who played a part in securing this successful outcome. We wholeheartedly welcome this announcement and now look forward to seeing the full service restored properly and in full, as it should be, for the benefit of cancer patients and all the people of Donegal.”

According to the Irish Cancer Society, the previous timetable would have posed a considerable risk to around 500 cancer patients who currently rely on the service. The changes made same-day medical travel impossible and forced patients into overnight stays, extra costs, and unnecessary strain. 

Nikki Gallagher, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said: “The Donegal–Dublin Cancer flights are a lifeline, not a luxury. We appreciate that the Government has agreed to protect this vital service." 

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Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher TD added: “The Minister remained in regular contact with me throughout this process, and I welcome his commitment to restore the timetable that has served the people of Donegal well for decades.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme