Cancer patients in Donegal have welcomed the restoration of flights to Dublin that they describe as a "medical lifeline".
Afternoon services between Donegal and Dublin and the overnight retention of an aircraft at Donegal Airport An Charraig Fhinn will recommence on 1 May.
A contract for the Government-funded air service awarded to Emerald Airlines in January proposed removing the afternoon rotation and replacing it with morning and evening rotations.
More than 20,000 people signed a petition calling for the protection of the service.
As part of the restored schedule from 1 May, the aircraft will once again be based overnight at An Charraig Fhinn, facilitating an early morning departure from Donegal at 7.55am and returning at 12.55pm.
The afternoon flight will depart Donegal at 2.30pm returning from Dublin at 6.55pm.
Flights under the new schedule are expected to be available for booking online later today.
The Irish Cancer Society had warned that the axing of a midday service under a recently-introduced new contract made same-day medical travel impossible.
It said it forced patients into overnight stays, extra cost, and unnecessary strain.
Kathleen Griffin travelled from Donegal to Dublin for cancer treatment in 2022.
Speaking on RTÉ News at One, she said she was informed about the "cancer flight" by the nurse from her consultant in Letterkenny who told her she could "avail of it".
She said the flight was the difference between leaving home in the morning and being in St James' Hospital in Dublin within two hours, compared with "five to six hours if I had to go in the car".
Máire Uí Chomhaill from Donegal Cancer Flights and Services reacts to the restoration
She said "the old arrangement will be back on the 1 May," meaning the plane will remain overnight at the airport in Donegal and the original flight schedule will be reinstated.
Ms Griffin said it is going to make a "huge difference" for those who need the flight and those who do not know that they may need to avail of it in the future.
"Nobody knows what's around the corner, so it's a huge, huge help for the people of Donegal.
"You don't realise it until you're actually in the situation," she said.
She stressed the importance of the flight not just for cancer patients "but all cancer patients that have to go to Dublin, because we don't have any other infrastructure".
She said the flight is a "lifeline" to Dublin as "everything we need is in Dublin."
She described the reinstatement of the flight as a "huge, huge win for Donegal".
'Constructive engagement by all parties'
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said his department has actively engaged with Emerald Airlines in agreeing terms for the reinstatement of the previous schedule including the aircraft overnighting in Donegal Airport.
"I would like to thank Emerald Airlines for their constructive engagement in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion today and wish them continued success in operating this important route.
"Passenger numbers grew year on year under the previous contract, reaching 23% above peak levels achieved under the previous contract, which is a significant achievement," the minister said.
In a statement, the Chairman and Board of Donegal Airport welcomed the announcement, thanking Minister O’Brien, Department officials and Emerald Airlines for "constructive engagement by all parties" which enabled the outcome.
The airport said the revision of the contract with the required flight times means they have a commitment to this service up to February 2030.
The airport's statement acknowledged "a groundswell of support" since 13 January 2025 when it became aware of the impending flight time changes.
"We recognise that it has been a difficult period, with uncertainty for both our staff and all airport users, and we are relieved that the flights are finally being restored to what we believe are the optimum times to meet the needs of the travelling public," it said.
Chairman of the Airport Board, Garry Martin thanked public representatives, airport users, community groups, and the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services, who they said, "highlighted the impacts of the revised timetable on their users".
Donegal Cancer Flights and Services also welcomed the full restoration of the Donegal–Dublin PSO air service from 1 May.
It described the announcement as "a moment of relief and recognition" for the many cancer patients, families, workers, businesses, and communities who depend on the service.
"The restoration of this service, including the reinstatement of the full schedule, is not simply a transport decision.
"It is an acknowledgement of the reality of life in Donegal and of the essential importance of connectivity for our people.
"For cancer patients travelling for treatment, for families attending appointments, for people accessing healthcare, and for communities maintaining vital links with the rest of the country, this service is absolutely essential," they said.
Sinn Féin Deputy Pearse Doherty said the Government U-turn on their original decision was down to the campaigning of Donegal Cancer Services and Flights.
Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher also paid tribute to campaigner and constituency colleagues .
