Department of Transport officials have told Donegal Airport they are in discussions with the airline operating the Donegal-Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO) route to explore possible alternatives to proposed timetable changes.
The airport's chairman and managing director met department officials in Dublin to discuss the revised schedule, which is due to come into effect on 29 March.
Donegal Airport has said it raised concerns with the Department of Transport over planned timetable changes to the Donegal-Dublin PSO air route.
Airport management said they reiterated their dissatisfaction on behalf of service users with the proposed timetable - particularly the removal of afternoon flights and the decision not to base the aircraft overnight in Donegal.
They said the existing timetable had proven successful, pointing to passenger activity levels in 2025.
They questioned the commercial logic of the proposed new schedule, which would see flights depart Dublin in the morning and return there at night.
Department officials said procurement rules meant they had no option but to accept the tender as submitted during the PSO process.
They added confidentiality requirements meant they were unable to engage with the airport while the tender competition was under way.
However, department officials told Donegal Airport management that it is now in discussions with the airline operating the route to explore possible alternatives to the planned timetable.
They informed them that these discussions include the possibility of reinstating the overnight basing of the aircraft at Donegal Airport and restoring afternoon flight rotations.
The department said it expects that engagement to conclude within the fortnight, after which it will a recommendation to the Minister for Transport.
Flights currently operate twice daily in each direction from Monday to Friday, departing from Co Donegal at 8am and 2.30pm, and from Dublin at 12.55pm and 6.50pm.
In a statement, the board of Donegal Airport said it would await the outcome of those discussions and expressed hope a solution could be found quickly in the short term.
The board acknowledged what it described as "a groundswell of support" since the proposed changes first emerged in mid-January.
There has been criticism in the north west of the planned changes amid concerns it could affect patients who depend on the route for essential medical treatment.
Donegal Cancer Flights and Service expressed concern that the changes will cut off a "medical lifeline" and "genuine same-day access" for cancer patients and others.
