Donegal Cancer Flights & Services will do all they can to maintain current flights

The manager of Donegal Cancer Flights & Services says she is willing to go to the Dáil to keep an essential health service in the county.

Over 500 cancer patients, most of whom require same-day return, will be affected if a proposed change to the flight schedule between Carrickfinn and Dublin is brought in.

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A new, controversial draft contract proposes changes to flight times, including the potential loss of the afternoon flight and no early morning flight from Carrickfinn, causing concerns for patients travelling to and from Dublin.
Emerald Airlines (Aer Lingus Regional) operates the government-funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) flights between Donegal and Dublin. This contract was extended to run until February 25, with a new procurement process underway.

A PSO flight is a government-subsidised air service, ensuring essential connectivity. These routes are not always commercially viable for airlines on their own but are vital for regional access, tourism, and medical travel.

Mary Coyle organises the flights from Donegal to Dublin and other services for patients from Ionad Naomh Pádraig in Gaoth Dobhair and is due in Dublin on Thursday to meet the Irish Cancer Society.

“We have contacted our local TDs and want them to back this,” she told DonegalLive. “This is why we voted for them in the first place. After I meet with the Irish Cancer Society, I will go to the Dáil if that’s what’s needed.

“What’s being proposed here is not practical and it’s not what a PSO is supposed to be. In this case, the PSO is about the people of Donegal, not about an airline. We had the same battle last year with passenger caps and we shouldn’t have to do this. Are we not entitled to proper medical attention?”

As well as running cars and buses to University Hospital Galway and Altnagelvin in Derry, Donegal Cancer Flights & Services have previously met with oncology departments in Dublin to guarantee early morning appointments for Donegal patients, which would enable them to get home afterwards. Volunteers also drive Donegal patients from Dublin airport to appointments
in Dublin hospitals.

The plane currently stays overnight in Carrickfinn, with flights departing for Dublin at 7:55am and 2:30pm, with flights leaving from Dublin at 12:55pm and 6:50pm. However, the new schedule would see the plane rest in Dublin overnight and then make its way to the north-west.

Users of the flight say the long bus journeys are not feasible, they can be exhausting, distressing, and in many cases physically impossible. This flight allows people to travel with dignity, comfort, and a measure of ease during already incredibly difficult times.

“There is no priority issue with a plane in the morning at Carrckfinn airport,” MsCoyle added. “There’s a 98 percent chance of it getting away from here, with the only potential issue being a storm. A plane that would be due to come from Dublin to Donegal in the morning, which would be nearly empty, will not be seen as a priority by those at Dublin airport.

“This will force people to stay overnight, which is expensive when you factors in taxis and hotels. Also, it’s just not practical for some people who are sick to take a bus to Dublin, which would take as much as six hours one way. People will miss critical appointments.”

An online petition, titled Cosain Eitiltí Ailse Dhún na nGall / Protect Donegal Cancer Flights on Change.org, had 8,000 signatures by Wednesday afternoon.

A letter from Donegal Cancer Flights & Services was penned to Minister for Finance Simon Harris last Friday, wanting to guarantee the continuation of genuine same-day return access for cancer patients and others travelling for essential medical appointments. As of Wednesday, no acknowledgement or reply had been received.

Edel Shovlin, acting CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said: “The Dublin Donegal Cancer flights are a lifeline, not a luxury. These flights are vital for cancer patients in Donegal who need to travel to Dublin for life-saving treatment.

“The Irish Cancer Society is supporting the petition that’s calling on the Minister for Transport to guarantee same-day return medical access as a mandatory PSO requirement; protect workable flight times and plane access that deliver same-day access; ring-fence the midday flight as an essential PSO connection; and ensure full transparency and accountability in how PSO timetables are proposed and approved. We have also written to the Minister for Health to draw her attention to the issue.”