Flights between Dublin and Donegal are to resume on July 26, after the Government awarded a Public Service Obligation contract for the operation of the route to Swedish airline Amapola Flyg AB.
The State-subsidised route had previously been operated by Stobart Air before it collapsed last month.
In the wake of that, the Department announced an accelerated procurement process to find a replacement operator to run the service until a new full tendering process is carried out.
"I am pleased to announce that Swedish operator Amapola has been awarded the 7-month contract to operate on the Government funded Donegal – Dublin PSO route," said Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan.
"In order to ensure continuity of service on the Donegal route when this temporary contract expires, I plan to launch a further procurement process this summer to provide for a longer-term contract of up to 4 years on the route."
Flights for the new services will take place on 50-seater Fokker 50 turbo-prop aircraft and can already be booked on the company's own website, www.amapola.nu.
The service will operate twice a day every day, with flights departing Donegal Airport at 08:20 and 16:40 and from Dublin airport at 15:10 and 18:20 on weekdays.
Founded 16 years ago, the Swedish airline began life as a freight and cargo operator, before expanding into passenger services.
The Department of Transport said the Stockholm-based carrier specialises in running PSO routes to remote communities.
It currently has responsibility for seven such routes in Sweden and Finland.
"We are delighted to have won the tender to operate on the Donegal route and are looking forward to welcoming passengers on board when we commence operations from Donegal on 26 July," said CEO of Amapola, Mr Erik Salén.
"We are excited to be entering the Irish market for the first time and look forward to flying into Donegal airport which is widely considered to be one of the most scenic airports to fly into in the world."
