Scrapped Donegal to Dublin flights servicing cancer patients to be reinstated

Ellen O'Donoghue

Previously scrapped afternoon flights between Donegal and Dublin are to be reinstated from May 1st.

The flight rotation, which services cancer patients accessing treatment in Dublin, was replaced with an evening schedule under recent changes.

Following public criticism, it was confirmed on Wednesday that the earlier slots and the overnight retention of an aircraft at Carrickfinn Airport will begin again in four weeks.

Mary Coyle, Manager at Donegal Cancer Flights and Services, told Newstalk that it is a significant day for the community.

"We have over 500 patients that rely on these flights, this is something that, not alone that the people are entitled to, but they deserve this. We weren’t asking for any more, or we weren’t asking for any less; we just wanted to retain what we had. Our voice was heard," she said.

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said that he has 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.

"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," O'Brien said.

The minister thanked Emerald Airlines for their "constructive engagement" in bringing the matter to a successful conclusion.

Flights under the new schedule are expected to be available for booking online through www.aerlingus.com later today.