The air service linking Donegal and Dublin is being scaled back to one flight a day in each direction.
An airport spokesperson confirmed this afternoon that following discussions with Stobart Air and the Department of Transport it was decided to continue flights, with the airport operating in compliance with HSE guidelines.
The airport says as well as facilitating the return of many people from around the world, the Dublin serves many people travelling for health reasons.
Flights to Donegal will leave Dublin Airport at 25 to four in the afternoon, flights to Dublin will leave Donegal at 5pm.
The route is operated under the government’s PSO service, buty management have acknowledged that because of the reduced service, Donegal airport will incur a significant loss of revenue over the period.
The airport now has reduced operational hours with core staff. All other ancillary service are closed, and where possible staff are working remotely.
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Statement in full –
Following discussions with the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and the operating airline Stobart Air under the Aer Lingus Regional brand it was agreed to reduce the current schedule to a one rotation per day service until the 30th April with a review thereafter.
A spokesperson at the airport confirmed that ‘while the health and wellbeing of our staff, their families and our passengers in this critical pandemic is paramount and we can operate under the HSE guidelines we agreed to continue to enable the provision of this essential service at a reduced level in the short term. The passengers travelling are on essential travel for health reasons and returning home from various locations around the world’
The flights will now operate from Dublin daily at 1535 arriving in Donegal at 1635 and returning from Donegal at 1700 arriving in Dublin at 1755.
The route is operated under the government’s PSO service, however by operating this reduced service Donegal airport will incur a significant loss of revenue over the period and has reduced operational hours with core staff. All other ancillary service are closed and where possible staff are working remotely.
While an extension to the period may be necessary management are hopeful of a return to the full schedule sooner rather than later as the country begins to return to normal.
