Written answer
Air Services
The Government is committed to restoring the Dublin–Derry PSO airlink, with tendering expected shortly and services starting as soon as feasible.
202. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the timeline for the long awaited restoration of the Derry to Dublin airlink. [67365/26]
Comment on this
I wish to thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this matter.
This Government is fully committed to establishing a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Dublin Airport and City of Derry Airport. This will deliver the Programme for Government commitment to establish air connectivity between the two cities.
Last year, Government decided that pending progress on the A5 Motorway upgrade, preparatory work to reintroduce a Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry airports in 2026 would be progressed.
As City of Derry Airport is outside of the European Union, the PSO air service will operate outside of Regulation (EC) 1008/2008, which provides for the common rules for the operation of air services in the Community. My Department has had extensive engagement with the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) and the Office of the Attorney General in recent months, in relation to the appropriate legal framework to underpin the procurement. Detailed work is being undertaken to ensure that the Request for Tenders (RfT) is compliant with the appropriate Regulations as well as EU State aid rules.
My Department anticipates being in a position to publish the RfT very shortly, with a view to a contract being awarded this year and services commencing on the route as soon as operationally feasible by the successful operator.