Thomas Pringle TD

Pringle calls on Government to address flight delays, cancellations at Carrickfinn

Pringle calls on Government to address flight delays, cancellations at Carrickfinn

Independent TD for Donegal has called on the Government to address issues of flight delays and cancellations at Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn.

Addressing the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “Carrickfinn Airport in west Donegal has been regularly voted the most spectacular and scenic airport in the world.

“Unfortunately the service currently available to the public leaves a lot to be desired. There have been constant delays and cancellations of flights, sometimes without notice, which is very worrying for people who depend on the service – particularly the cancer sufferers who rely on the services to access treatment in Dublin. Many patients cannot sit for prolonged periods on bus journeys to attend clinics and the air service is a vital service for them.

“Service users are being told that the flight has been cancelled for ‘technical issues’,” the deputy said, saying “technical issues” needs to be explained.

The deputy raised the issue during Questions on Policy or Legislation.

Deputy Pringle said: “What are the technical issues that the flights are encountering, and would you ask the Minister for Transport to intervene to see what is the problem and have it resolved?”

In his response, the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said he knows the flights are a valuable service for people in Donegal and said he will make sure that either Minister Ryan or Minister Chambers comes back to Deputy Pringle on the issue.