Plans to restore flights between Derry and Dublin by the end of March 2027 have been welcomed as “excellent news” for the north west by Donegal Minister of State Charlie McConalogue.

The return of the Derry to Dublin route took a major step forward on Friday following the publication of tender documents for the new Public Service Obligation (PSO) route.

The Department of Transport has officially issued the Request for Tenders, inviting airline operators to bid for the contract to run the subsidised service.

Welcoming the announcement, Charlie McConalogue said: “This is excellent news for Donegal and the North-West. Backed by €2 million from the Government’s Shared Island Fund, this vital air link is moving closer to reality. Once the tendering process concludes and a carrier is appointed, I look forward to seeing flights take off as soon as possible on completion of the tender process.

Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, pictured at a meeting with Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien and department officials along with a delegation from City of Derry Airport which included Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Albert Harrison, Deputy Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Paul Byrne, Director City of Derry Airport, Seamus Neely, and Managing Director of City of Derry Airport, Steve Frazer.

placeholder image — Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, pictured at a meeting with Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien and department officials along with a delegation from City of Derry Airport which included Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Albert Harrison, Deputy Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Paul Byrne, Director City of Derry Airport, Seamus Neely, and Managing Director of City of Derry Airport, Steve Frazer.

“I welcome the commitment from the Department of Transport that flights will be in the air no later than March 28 next year. The twice daily service will allow commuters carry out a day’s work or to spend a day in Dublin and return that evening.”

“Restoring this connection has been a top political priority for me. I have been working closely with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, his officials, and City of Derry Airport management to get this over the line,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy added.

According to UK Civil Aviation Authority data and the airport’s 40% Donegal passenger share, around 22,000 Donegal residents used City of Derry Airport in the first quarter of 2026, rising to 48,060 across the first half of the year. In the twelve months to August 2026, 98,325 Donegal passengers travelled through the airport.

“The loss of the Dublin route in 2011 was a massive blow to the region. Bringing it back will boost our cross-border economy and restore essential connectivity between the North-West and Dublin Airport and the opportunity to transfer to international long-haul flights,” Minister McConalogue said.

He added: “People across Donegal have been calling for this service for be reinstated for years, and I have no doubt it will deliver huge benefits once it is up and running again.”

Through the Shared Island Initiative, the Government is putting a sustained focus on building a shared, reconciled future for all communities on the island, he said.

The Dublin-Derry PSO air service will be established as part of this initiative with a contract period of up to four years, resourced through the Shared Island Fund.

“I would like to particularly acknowledge the strong support for this project from An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, working closely with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien,” the Donegal Minister of State added.

Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport, welcomed Minister O’Briens release of the airline tender process.

“The route represents a strategic opportunity to improve regional connectivity, facilitate vital access for business and tourism, support economic growth and promote balanced regional development.

“We are continuing to work in close collaboration with the Department for Transport and look forward to the announcement of the airline operator post the tender process completion and flights going on sale in the near future. We’d also like to thank all those involved in carrying forward this commitment from the New Decade New Approach, through to the Program for Government and now into the delivery stages,” Mr Frazer said.