A SCRAPPED MIDDAY flight rotation between Donegal and Dublin will be fully reinstated from 1 May.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien approved the restoration of the flight rotation and the overnighting of the aircraft at Carrickfinn Airport, local TD Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher confirmed today.

The proposed scrapping of the flight rotation announced in January caused consternation as it was a flight frequently taken by cancer patients in Donegal to access treatment and services in Dublin.

The route operated on most days of the week, with morning and evening departures from Donegal, and return flights at midday and at night from Dublin.

The flight schedule is covered by a Public Service Obligation (PSO). The afternoon flight rotation ended on 25 February.

The Department of Transport said a new schedule would begin on 29 March, with a new evening service replacing the afternoon service.

“I have been fully committed to offering a lunchtime service between Donegal and Dublin to ensure that an effective service is provided at times that work for all those availing of the service, including critical care patients,” Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said.

“My Department has actively engaged with Emerald Airlines in agreeing terms for the reinstatement of the previous schedule including the aircraft overnighting in Donegal Airport.”

Majella O’Donnell, a survivor of breast cancer, appeared on RTÉ’s Late Late Show in February to outline the importance of the original flight schedule. She said many patients take the early flight to Dublin and receive treatment in the morning, returning to Donegal on the afternoon flight.

Under the restored schedule, the aircraft will once again be based overnight at Carrickfinn, facilitating an early morning departure from Donegal at 7:55am returning at 12.:55pm. The afternoon flight will depart Donegal at 2:30pm returning from Dublin at 6:55pm.

Passengers who have booked flights on the 6:30am early morning departure from Dublin  or the 8:30pm late evening departure from Carrickfinn after 1 May will be accommodated by Emerald Airlines,  the regional operator of Aer Lingus, Gallagher said.

The Irish Cancer Society welcomed the news of the reinstated flights, saying the proposed timetable changes to the PSO air service would have posed “considerable risk to around 500 cancer patients who currently rely on the service”.

The changes made same-day medical travel impossible and forced patients into overnight stays, extra cost, and unnecessary strain, it said.

Its CEO Nikki Gallagher said the flights “are a lifeline, not a luxury” and the society appreciates the intervention. 

Fianna Fáil TD Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher thanked Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Group for their “tireless and compassionate campaign, which ensured the voices of vulnerable patients were heard and helped secure over 20,000 signatures in support of this vital service”.

He also thanked O’Donnell for raising the issue on national airwaves, and to Údarás na Gaeltachta and IBEC for their “submissions and support”.