A new airline is to operate the government-funded air service between Donegal and Dublin airports.
Emerald Airlines will operate on the route under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.
The current temporary contract for the Donegal/Dublin route is currently operated by Amapola Flyg AB.
This followed the collapse of Stobart Air last June,
However, that contract expires on 25th February.
The new contract with Emerald Airlines, announced this morning, will operate from 26 February until 25 February 2025 — and may be extended for a further one-year period.
The award of the new contract to Emerald Airlines follows an EU public tendering process.
Emerald Airlines will be offering up to two flights daily each way linking Donegal and Dublin with Aer Lingus flight numbers and under the Aer Lingus brand using the 72-seater ATR72-600, which has a significant environmental advantage over other regional jets and turboprops in its class.
Steve Ó Cúláin, chairman, and Eilís Ní Dhochartaigh, managing director of Donegal Airport, jointly said the PSO route provides an essential air link between the North West and Dublin in the absence of a motorway or rail network in the region.
