City of Derry to Dublin air route to be reinstated by third quarter of 2026
The Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien's announcement has been described by Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, as an extremely positive development
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin Airport will be up and running by the third quarter of 2026
The Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien's announcement has been described by Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, as an extremely positive development.
Speaking after a meeting today with the Minister O’Brien and a delegation from the City of Derry Airport in Leinster House, Minister McConalogue 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.
“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."
Department of Transport will now undertake the required technical preparations and a market assessment, while tender documents for the procurement process will also be drawn up.
“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,” Minister McConalogue commented.