Donegal Airport is growing and evolving

DONEGAL Airport has evolved and grown to become an essential resource in Ireland’s travel hubs.

The early spirit of collaboration continues and Donegal Airport’s chairman, Garry Martin (above), is keen to acknowledge the journey of the world class and award-winning airport.

“We commend the vision of the local people involved in instigating the airport,” he said. “We have taken that vision and what you see today is an airport which is a departure point for international travel and business travel. For anyone travelling over to Scotland it’s quick, convenient and scenic.

“Our local collaborators include Udaras na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council and Donegal Tourism. We have a wonderful team working at the airport and with their unique Donegal friendliness.”

The airport has impressive sustainability credentials and is an Irish leader in carbon accreditation.

Operating out the airport are both Emerald Airlines and Loganair. 2025 was a year of growth with a year-round service being offered for the first time in a number of years. This is set to continue.

A new four-year Public Service Obligation contract issued by the Irish Government for Emerald Airline’s Donegal-Dublin route has caused serious concerns for the airport’s management.

The new timetable would mean the loss of midday medical access to Dublin. Garry and the airport’s managing director, Eilis Docherty, have engaged with the Department of Transport.

They have advocated strongly on behalf of the Donegal community that having the aircraft overnight in Donegal increases reliability and consumer confidence. The cancer patients who regularly use the route are a vital and vulnerable cohort whom they are determined to protect.

They told reiterated their ‘deep dissatisfaction on behalf of all of the service users, the abolition of the afternoon flights from and to Dublin and the decision not to overnight the aircraft in Donegal, with its downstream implications.’

Negotiations between the airline and the department are continuing a decision is expected soon.