Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he can give assurances that the recent disruption to travel due to an airline (details supplied) cancelling flights to Donegal Airport will not recur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10524/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government.  I am very aware that the current government funded public service obligation (PSO) air service contract in place on the Donegal/Dublin route provides the people and businesses in the North-West with vital daily air services to Dublin..  As well as supporting Government’s commitment to balanced regional development, these services also support growth of the economy and tourism in the region and facilitate access for people to attend medical and other important appointments.  

Given this, it was extremely unfortunate that a technical difficulty with the designated aircraft on this route resulted in 12 cancelled flights between the 4th and 13th of February.  Affected passengers were offered coach transfers to Dublin or accommodation on the next available flight. 

Approximately 60% of the scheduled services were operated during this period and the intermittent disruption was fully addressed on the 15^th of February, when a dedicated standby aircraft entered into service on this route.  No further cancellations have since been reported on this route.

To mitigate against any possible future reoccurrence, the airline has provided my Department with the necessary assurance that appropriate measures are in place to bring a standby aircraft into service on this route should similar technical difficulties be experienced in the future.

I can also advise the Deputy that my Department will continue to monitor the airline's performance in accordance with the PSO contract for the provision of these services.