Market Sounding Survey in Preparation for Dublin-Derry Public Service Obligation (PSO) Air Services

The Department of Transport is seeking views from potential passengers and stakeholders on matters that may be relevant to deliver connectivity between Dublin and City of Derry airports through a PSO air service.

Government is committed to supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland where people can live, work and connect. As many stakeholders have recognised, the North West of the island is relatively underserved by transport connectivity. In this context, as part of objectives on Building our Shared Island, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to engaging with all relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and City of Derry airports.

Government funded PSO air services previously operated on this route for a ten-year period up until 2011. The Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, welcomes the objective and approach of re-establishing this air service. The Department of Transport now intends to tender for the reestablishment of a PSO air service on this route in 2026 for commencement of services later that year.

Specifications that would potentially best meet the requirements of the PSO air service have yet to be determined. Responses to this Market Sounding Survey may inform the development of these specifications, which will include aircraft type, aircraft capacity, frequency of services, timing of services and fare structures.

The key objectives of this Market Sounding Survey are to:

• Inform potential passengers of Government’s commitment to deliver connectivity between Dublin and City of Derry airports through the delivery of a subsidised PSO air service

• Inform potential air carriers of the Department’s intent to publish a competitive Request for Tenders (RfT)

• Identify air carriers who may be interested in applying for the tender when published

• Gather details on passenger behaviours and gauge passenger demand for the air service

• Seek the views of potential passengers and stakeholders on what specifications would potentially best meet the requirements of the PSO air service, in terms of aircraft type, aircraft capacity, frequency of services, timing of services and fare structures.

• Seek views from the market on any potential challenges in delivering the service.

Submissions are now invited from potential passengers and stakeholders on matters that may be relevant to deliver connectivity between Dublin and City of Derry airports through the delivery of a PSO air service.

Responses must be made online using the form below and submitted no later than 31 January 2026.

Market Sounding Survey in Preparation for Dublin-Derry Public Service Obligation (PSO) Air Services

Respondents are advised that the Department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007- 2014, and Data Protection legislation.

What we will do with your response

Responses received may inform the development of the specifications for this route.

All submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection legislation.

Privacy Information

• This is a public consultation, and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) legislation apply.

• To ensure privacy, any personal information you give this Department will be protected under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/67 and the Data Protection Act 2018.

• You can read the Department’s privacy statement here.

• Submissions will be kept until the review process and the implementation of any accepted recommendations has been finalised.

• You can view the Department’s Data Protection page which outlines how and when the Department collects personal data, why it is collected and how the information is treated. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.