Mohan Sinha
22 Mar 2026

DUBLIN, Ireland: A flight used by the public, which included many cancer patients, from Carrickfinn Airport in Co Donegal to Dublin, may soon be reinstated due to the efforts of cancer campaigners.

Cancer campaigners campaign for its reinstatement after changes to the Donegal–Dublin PSO timetable, which left local users without an afternoon flight.

Passengers said that changes to the flight schedule led to a service being cut, causing some people to miss important medical treatments, while others were unable to travel after receiving care.

A large protest was planned outside Dáil Éireann in Dublin on March 24, with hundreds expected to attend, including cancer patients.

However, local politician Pat the Cope Gallagher said that Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien has shared positive updates about the Donegal–Dublin flight schedule.

The minister said talks are continuing with the airline involved and that there are no legal problems stopping progress. He also wants to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Gallagher said discussions are ongoing to restore parts of the old service, such as keeping the aircraft overnight in Carrickfinn and bringing back the afternoon flight. He added that all parties now need time to review the details carefully, but this should be completed within a few weeks.

He said he is confident that once this process is finished, the afternoon flight and overnight aircraft arrangement will return within weeks, not months.

Gallagher said he has been working closely with Minister O'Brien since he first learned about the proposed changes in January. He welcomed the minister's commitment to bring back a timetable that has served Donegal residents well for many years.

He also thanked local people and groups who spoke out about the issue. He praised the staff and management of Donegal Airport for supporting passengers' needs and thanked Majella O'Donnell for raising awareness on The Late Late Show.

He gave special thanks to the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services Group for campaigning strongly and compassionately to show how the changes would affect patients traveling to Dublin for treatment. Their efforts helped gather over 20,000 signatures on a petition.

Gallagher also thanked his fellow local representatives for working together to achieve this result.

He said restoring the old timetable is very important for people who need same-day travel to Dublin for medical care, work, education, or connecting flights.

Finally, he expressed strong appreciation to Minister O'Brien for taking an active role and recognizing the need to return to the previous timetable, which included an afternoon flight and overnighting the aircraft in Donegal to allow early-morning departures.