Relief as Donegal-Dublin air route won't be affected by possible passenger cap

Donegal Airport will be completely exempt from any potential passenger cap on airlines.

The Minister of State for Transport, James Lawless, confirmed the news to Pat the Cope Gallagher on Thursday.

The Donegal-Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO) will be completely exempt from any potential passenger cap.

“This is welcome news to any of those that feared the negative impacts on any passenger number restrictions which may arise in the near future,” Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Gallagher said.

Minister Lawless met this afternoon with Conor McCarthy of Emerald Airlines, who operate the service, and informed him the Donegal PSO would be exempt for the proposed cap on passenger numbers using Dublin Airport. 

Mr McCarthy is said to have confirmed that he was very positively disposed towards Donegal Airport.

This comes as welcome news after real fears emerged.

The Irish Aviation Authority will limit seat capacity a Dublin Airport to 25.2 million next summer - one million fewer seats than this year - in a bid to keep the airport within its 32 million passenger cap in a year.

The upshot would be an approximate reduction of 5% for carriers.

Mr McCarthy, speaking on RTE on Monday night, said that “on the face of a purely commercial decision, you wouldn’t re-tender for Donegal” if the passenger cap were to apply.

Gallagher said: “I have worked closely with Minister Lawless on this matter and he remains very committed to the further development of regional airports in Ireland. 

“Throughout my career in politics I have seen the potential of this airport and always worked closely with the airport authorities in relation to the development of the airport and I will remain fully committed to future growth at the airport.”

READ NEXT: ‘I don’t know how we kept going’: Inver mum on harrowing loss of baby boy, Eoin

Gallagher added this confirmation by the Minister will be a relief to those that depend on the airport for work, students or health services access in Dublin. 

He said: “Flights between Donegal and Dublin are critical for many accessing health appointments, and this point was made very forcibly by me.  

“The possible impact of any restrictions on Donegal Airport would also severely impact tourism in the region.”

Emerald Airlines has a three-year contract and has the option of an extension from next February.

It provides for a twice daily tw- way air service from Donegal to Dublin with the red eye service leaving Donegal each morning. It also provides for further onward international connectivity through Dublin Airport