Take off as Loganair’s Donegal to Glasgow service is officially launched

Services between Carrickfinn and Glasgow have been officially launched at Donegal Airport.

Loganair, the UK's largest regional airline, restored the route as part of the airline’s summer timetable. The thrice-weekly flights, operating on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout July, August and September, will boost connectivity between the UK and Ireland and provide the only direct air link between the UK and Donegal.  

Loganair is embarking on a significant fleet upgrade and investment program, introducing its first ATR aircraft to Glasgow Airport.

The introduction of the ATR 42-600 aircraft marks an exciting milestone for Loganair, as they replace the older Saab 340s, ensuring enhanced efficiency, increased passenger comfort, and lower operating costs.

From this month, the new ATR aircraft will operate on routes connecting Glasgow with Islay, Benbecula, Sumburgh, and Donegal. Subsequently, from August, these aircraft will also serve the Kirkwall and Derry routes.

“The management and staff at Donegal Airport are delighted to welcome Loganair back to Donegal Airport for Summer 2023,” Eilis Docherty, Managing Director, Donegal Airport, said. “We are encouraged by the high level of bookings to date which is an affirmation of the ongoing demand for a direct route between Donegal and Scotland.

“The introduction of the ATR42-600 series aircraft will provide additional capacity to grow passenger numbers over the busy summer season.”

The Scottish airline Loganair announced in August 2021 that it was pulling out of Donegal to focus on key destinations to support recovery from the pandemic, with the last of the flights leaving that October.

In March, it was announced the route would be re-established, starting this month, with weekend flights initially before a third day, Wednesday, was added to the schedule. 

 "It’s great to see Loganair’s tartan tails back at Donegal this summer and today marks the first of the new weekday flights that we added after customer feedback,” said Luke Lovegrove, Chief Commercial Officer, Loganair, said: “The new service is operated by the larger and quieter ATR-42 enhancing our customer experience on this route.”

Cormac O'Suilleabhain, Brand Partnership Manager at Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland is delighted that the Glasgow to Donegal route with Loganair has now recommenced.

“We recognise the vital importance of direct air connectivity and the key role that this air link to Donegal provides for Scottish holiday-makers. We look forward to welcoming visitors from Glasgow and all over Scotland to the island of Ireland and working with Loganair to promote the route and further expand their network to the island.”

Customers travelling from Donegal to Glasgow can also benefit from onward connections at Glasgow to points within Loganair's extensive route network across the UK.