Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said a standby aircraft must be made available as needed to ensure reliable air service for Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn.
Deputy Pringle said flight delays and cancellations are very worrying for people who depend on the service for work, for tourism and especially those who rely on the flights to attend medical appointments.
“Air service from Donegal is a vital service for many cancer patients who cannot sit for prolonged periods on bus journeys,” he said.
Deputy Pringle received an email on the matter on Tuesday from Jack Chambers, minister of state for transport.
The deputy had also raised the issue of the flight cancellations with the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in the Dáil earlier this year.
Deputy Pringle said Minister Chambers acknowledged that a dedicated standby aircraft was brought into service in February, after the period between February 4 and 13 saw 12 flights cancelled.
The Minister also said that technical difficulties this month also unfortunately resulted in two cancelled flight rotations.
“If there is a dedicated standby aircraft in case of technical problems, why wasn’t it available to Donegal at those times?” he said.
The deputy said: “I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that the Department continues to monitor the airline’s performance and engage with the airline.
“If weather disrupts flights, that’s fair enough. However, we must make sure that all steps are taken to ensure that flights are not cancelled due to technical difficulties,” Deputy Pringle said.
In an email to Deputy Pringle, Minister Chambers said:
“I refer to your most recent correspondence in relation to disruptions to the Donegal/Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services.
“It was extremely unfortunate that a technical difficulty with the designated aircraft on this PSO air service resulted in 12 cancelled flights between the 4th and 13th of February. 70% of the scheduled services operated during this period and the intermittent disruption was addressed on the 15 February, when a dedicated standby aircraft entered into service on this route. Affected passengers were offered coach transfers to Dublin or accommodation on the next available flight.
“Although I am pleased to advise the Deputy that no further cancellations were reported throughout February and March, it is regrettable that technical difficulties this month unfortunately resulted in two cancelled flight rotations. In addition, adverse weather conditions experienced in Donegal recently brought about additional safety restrictions to operations and resulted in a further cancelled flight rotation, which was non-attributable to the airline.
“Regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government. The current PSO contract in place on this route, which provides twice daily two-way air services, facilitating same day return trips from Donegal, and further international connectivity from Dublin Airport, marks Government’s commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to this region.
“I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to monitor the airline’s performance in accordance with the PSO contract for the provision of these services and has been engaging with the airline in relation to the reasons for the technical difficulties.
“The airline apologises for any inconvenience caused to customers and has advised my Department that it continues to work relentlessly to restore the reliability of this service.”
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