THE Irish Government has confirmed a €2m funding allocation to restore the Dublin to Derry air route.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin revealed the grant under a Shared Island funding round totalling €50m which will support 10 new programmes.
It was further confirmed that the new route will be in operation next year.
“The Minister for Transport will introduce a new PSO air service between Dublin and Derry in 2026, delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to establish air connectivity between the two cities,” a spokesperson for the Taoiseach’s office confirmed.
“[The] service will be introduced for a defined period, resourced through the Shared Island Fund, to commence in 2026 and be reviewed after two years,” they added.
“Full costs for the service will be determined and published once the procurement process for it has concluded.”
The Government first set out its intention to restore the route, which was withdrawn in 2011 following the economic crash, last month, in its Budget 2026 announcement.
Its return is expected to improve connectivity across the northwest of the country.
“The service will improve transport connectivity for the northwest on the island and internationally and support opportunities for economic growth and in-bound tourism,” the spokesperson added.
“The Government has set out our Shared Island investment priorities across all sectors as part of the reviewed National Development Plan, backed by our total €2 billion commitment to the Shared Island Fund out to 2035,” the Taoiseach said as the funding was announced.
“This is the Shared Island Initiative in action - working with ambition to establish greater connectivity, deepen co-operation and strengthen island-wide community understanding - to create a shared future together,” he added.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has welcomed the funding announcement, claiming the investment “further demonstrates our commitment to building a prosperous and more equal shared island for all”.
“The funding announced will ensure better outcomes for people in their daily lives, connecting people and places, co-ordinating emergency responses, protecting people’s livelihoods, enhancing people’s health and well-being, protecting our nature habitats and environment, and more,” he added.
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