Today marked the first day without the afternoon flight at Donegal Airport – a service that local cancer care campaigners and politicians have been advocating tirelessly to reinstate.
A new PSO schedule has been adopted, replacing the previous schedule of morning and afternoon departures from Donegal, and lunchtime and evening return flights from Dublin, with morning departures and evening return flights from both locations.
The changes have caused widespread frustration as they affect same-day return opportunities for passengers, most importantly patients travelling to the capital for medical treatment.
A detailed announcement from the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, is expected in the coming week regarding the ongoing situation.
Donegal Cancer Flights and Services are also eagerly awaiting a response from the minister.
The charity stressed that they have had no confirmed timeline for reinstatement, no certainty of the full restoration of the service and no firm commitment or guarantee from the minister regarding the reinstatement of the crucial lunchtime flight.
Meanwhile, at tomorrow’s plenary council meeting, Cllr John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh will call on Donegal County Council to write to the minister to reinstate the midday flight.
In a motion to Donegal County Council he described the service as “a lifeline to many patients receiving cancer treatment” and noted that its absence also affects business travellers and tourists.
His party colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, also said the flights debacle is “far from over”.
In the Dáil on Thursday he urged the Tánaiste that there be no further delays in restoring the afternoon flight between Donegal and Dublin.