Donegal flights: charity expects resolution in minister meeting

A Donegal cancer patients' charity says it expects a move toward resolution after a scheduled meeting with Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien about changes to the Dublin‑Donegal PSO flight timetable that it says could affect same‑day medical access.

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services is meeting the Transport Minister to discuss changes to the Dublin‑Donegal Public Service Obligation (PSO) flight schedule. The charity represents people with cancer who rely on same‑day travel for hospital appointments. The new PSO contract will stop aircraft overnighting at Donegal and replaces midday flights with an early morning arrival and a late evening departure. The group says the change could reduce seat availability at short notice and raise travel costs for patients. Known details: - A meeting with Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien is scheduled to take place in Dublin on Tuesday. - The charity has said it expects a "move toward resolution" and is seeking protections for reliable same‑day and midday medical access under the PSO. - Under the new timetable the previous midday services are removed and replaced by a 6.30am arrival from Dublin and an 8.30pm departure from Donegal. - Donegal Airport and the charity have said the new contract ends Emerald Airlines overnighting at Donegal after 21 years, which they say affects confidence in morning services. Summary: The charity warns the timetable change could limit same‑day access for patients and affect seat availability and travel costs. The next step is the ministerial meeting in Dublin; the outcome and any specific changes are undetermined at this time.