Derry to Dublin airlink confirmed for October
The new Derry to Dublin airlink is set to take flight from October, Irish Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed in Dail Eireann on Thursday.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) link connecting City of Derry Airport to Dublin Airport was announced in the recent Irish Budget and is supported by the Shared Island Fund.
Speaking in Dail Eireann on Thursday morning, Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn asked the Minister for a ‘timeline’ on when the ‘crucial’ link would be in place.
In response, Min O’Brien said a two-month tender process will be undertaken, before the contract is awarded and services commence in October.
Min O’Brien told how many stakeholders recognise that the north west is ‘relatively under-served by transport connectivity’ and while this is ‘improving, it needs to be improved further’.
He stated that he had met with representatives from City of Derry Airport, chambers of commerce in Derry and Letterkenny. Donegal County Council and Derry and Strabane Council on the airlink.
Min O’Brien confirmed that officials are ‘progressing preparatory work’ to establish the service and this is now ‘well advanced.’
He added: “All thing being equal, it is expected that, following a two-month tender procedure, a contract will be awarded for the commencement of the service this October.”
He said this will align with the Winter 2026 airline scheduling season.
Deputy MacLochlainn welcomed the news and highlighted how 40% of passengers at City of Derry Airport come from Donegal.
"For people elsewhere in Ireland that geography can be lost. Essentially, Derry services the entire region.”
Deputy MacLochlainn said the region had been ‘devastated by the A5 delays’ and the airlink is ‘one that gives people hope’. He added how it is also ‘critical for the overall package of the airport’ and the north west.
"Please do not let the October timeline slip.”
Min O’Brien said the timelines he had been given are ‘robust’, with the ‘contract awarded in October and the commencement of services in October’.
"I am confident of the timeline I have given you.”
Both the Minister and Deputy commended the work and commitment of City of Derry Airport, Derry and Strabane and Donegal County Council, as well as Letterkenny and Derry Chambers of Commerce.