Business

Emerald Airlines awarded contract for Donegal to Dublin air service

Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton with Emerald Airlines founder Conor McCarthy.
Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton with Emerald Airlines founder Conor McCarthy. Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton with Emerald Airlines founder Conor McCarthy.

THE new airline set to take over the Aer Lingus Regional operation at Belfast City Airport in 2022 has been awarded a contract by the Irish Government to operate the Donegal to Dublin public service obligation (PSO) route.

Emerald Airlines was last year awarded the ten-year contract by Aer Lingus to operate its regional services. But the collapse of previous operator Stobart Air in June 2021 resulted in gaps in many services.

Aer Lingus itself and sister carrier British Airways stepped in for some GB routes at Belfast City Airport, while Swedish airline, Amapola Flyg AB, has operated the Donegal to Dublin service on a temporary basis.

That interim contract is due to expire, at which point Emerald will take over the Donegal route for three years, with an option to extend for a father year.

Like the Derry to London air route, which is backed by UK Government funding, the Donegal-Dublin service is considered another key connection for the north-west.

The Republic’s Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, said the air route remains “vital” for the area.

“I know that this route provides important reassurance for those who need to attend medical or other important appointments as well as supporting business and tourism in the region” he said.

In December, Emerald Airlines announced it would start the Aer Lingus Regional flights in March 2022, some ten months ahead of schedule.

The new carrier said it will commence flying from Belfast City Airport "as soon as possible in 2022".

The airline confirmed it had already established a company in Northern Ireland and applied for a UK operating licence.