Conor McCarthy, Emerald Airlines; Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State; Eilis Docherty, Managing Director at Donegal Airport and Steve O'Cúláin, Chairman Donegal Airport, Photo RTE |
Emerald Airlines has started operating a route between Dublin and Donegal with a 72-seater ATR72-600, under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.
The carrier took over the route from Amapola Flyg AB which stepped in following the collapse of Stobart Air last year. Emerald has a contract to run the Public Service Obligation PSO route for three year, but it expects that to be renewed on a year by year basis.
Irish Minister Eamon Ryan had previously said, “Government-funded air services on the Donegal to Dublin route provide vital connectivity for Donegal and the North-West region to Dublin. I am delighted to announce that Emerald Airlines will operate services on this route commencing on 26 February 2022. I know that this route provides important reassurance for those who need to attend medical or other important appointments as well as supporting business and tourism in the region.”
Conor McCarthy, CEO of Emerald Airlines said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the new operator of the vital air route between Donegal and Dublin for the next 3 years. This announcement is a great boost for ensuring continued connectivity from Donegal to Dublin, and beyond."
"I would like to wish Emerald Airlines every success in operating and growing this route and providing the people and businesses in the North-West with daily air services to Dublin to attend medical and other important appointments as well as supporting the economy and tourism in the region," said Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton.