Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed the signing of a new contract for air services between Carrickfinn and Dublin.
Today’s new contract safeguards the route from Donegal Airport to Dublin until 2022.
Stobart Air, which operates Aer Lingus Regional, took over the Dublin to Donegal route from Loganair in 2015.
Donegal Airport is supported by a Public Service Obligation (PSO) Programme by the Government to service peripheral regions. The Government subsidy of €667,900 under the PSO will run from February 1 until January 31, 2022.
Minister McHugh said: “I want to welcome the signing of this new contract today which ensures the vital air service between Donegal Airport and Dublin continues for the next four years.
“More than 46,000 people used the service in 2017, the sort of levels not seen since 2010 and I am confident the number of passengers will increase in 2018.
“As well as being an excellent service for local people, the link is becoming an ever-increasing route for tourists wanting to fly into one of the most spectacular airports in the world. I want to congratulate all the staff at the airport for their hard work and dedication and wish them all continued success in the years ahead.”
The award of the new contract to Stobart follows an EU public tendering process conducted by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in accordance with the requirements of EU Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1008/2008 which allows PSOs to airports that serve peripheral or less developed regions.
In today’s announcement, Stobart were also awarded the PSO contract for the link between Dublin and Kerry. Both routes are operated by Stobart under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.
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