Survey launched ahead of restoration of Dublin-Derry air service

Plans to restore a subsidised air link between City of Derry and Dublin airports from next year have taken another step forward with the launch of a ‘market sounding survey’ by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien.

The proposed service, which would operate as an Irish Exchequer-funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) route, is expected to commence in 2026 and would re-establish an air connection that was lost more than a decade ago.

A Dublin-Derry air service previously operated until 2011, when it was axed in the aftermath of the Celtic Tiger economic crash.

While the route was never commercially viable as a stand-alone operation, it was widely used by passengers from Inishowen, north Donegal and the Derry region, providing a crucial link to Dublin for onward international connections, business travel and medical appointments. The service was previously operated by carriers including Loganair, then operating under the British Airways franchise, and the now-defunct Aer Arann.

The Government currently funds PSO routes between the capital and both Carrickfinn and Kerry airports. Between 2020 and 2023, Carrickfinn received €15.5 million in PSO funding, while the Kerry route received €5 million.

Launching the survey, Minister O’Brien said the Government was committed to improving transport connectivity in the North West, which he described as relatively underserved, noting the proposed upgrade to the A5 dual carriageway from Strabane to Aughnacloy that remains mired in legal challenges in the courts in the North.

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The proposed air link forms part of the Programme for Government and aligns with the objectives of the Shared Island initiative.

The Department of Transport is currently carrying out preparatory work ahead of establishing the service. Feedback from the Market Sounding Survey will be used to shape the final specifications for the PSO route, including aircraft type and capacity, service frequency, scheduling and fare structures.

Minister O’Brien said stakeholder engagement would be central to delivering a service that meets real needs. “This service will give Derry and North East Donegal a subsidised connection to Dublin, alongside the existing Donegal [Carrickfinn Airport]-Dublin PSO route,” he said. “Together, these services will improve access to Dublin and international travel for the North West, supporting economic growth and tourism.”

The Minister also pointed to the proposed service as an important interim measure while progress continues on upgrading the A5 road transport corridor, a major cross-border project to which the Government has committed €600 million in funding.

Under PSO arrangements, routes that are considered socially or regionally important but not commercially viable can be supported by the State to ensure continued connectivity. The existing Carrickfinn to Dublin PSO route has long been cited as a vital link for the county, particularly for medical travel and business.

It is anticipated that a tender for the Derry-Dublin PSO service will be published by the Department of Transport early in the New Year, with a view to services beginning later in 2026, subject to the outcome of the consultation and tender process.

Potential passengers, businesses and other stakeholders are being encouraged to take part in the Market Sounding Survey, which is open until 31 January 2026. Responses will play a key role in determining how the restored air link operates and how effectively it serves communities across Derry, Inishowen and the wider North West.

The survey can be accessed here: Derry-Dublin air route survey