Loganair to Offer Essential Air Services from Donegal

Loganair is to introduce its first domestic and international flights from the Irish city of Donegal after being selected by the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to undertake a designated essential air service linking the city to Dublin. The airline will launch services on the route from November 3 offering two round-trips every day using a Saab 340 turboprop, a schedule that while protecting the existing day return facility from Donegal, will enable Dublin-originating travellers to undertake a day return to north-west Ireland for the first time.

On the same day Loganair will introduce a link between Donegal and its Glasgow base. This will be operated on an up to daily basis, but frequencies will reduce to four a week during seasonal periods. Loganair operates as a franchise partner of low-fare carrier Flybe and the new link with facilitate links to Flybe and Loganair’s extensive network of UK and Highlands & Islands services, as well as onward global links via British Airways (London Heathrow) and Emirates Airline (Dubai).

“We are delighted to be launching services to Donegal later this year, and are confident that our combination of convenient flight times, excellent punctuality and competitive fares will provide exemplary service to and from the northwest of Ireland,” said Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Operating Officer, Loganair. “Loganair celebrates its 50th anniversary next year and its record has been established on the basis of providing dependable and quality regional air services, which we look forward to introducing in Donegal from November.”

Aer Arann currently offers flights on both routes carrying an estimated 52,000 O&D passengers between Donegal and Dublin in the past year and 11,000 O&D passengers to Glasgow over the same period, with average one-way fares of $54 and $56 respectively.