Euroceltic Airways will begin twice-daily return services from Donegal and Sligo airports to Dublin today.
The company, which operates a Waterford-London Luton link, was successful in its application to provide services on the two north-west routes under the Government's Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme which, in effect, provides a subsidy over a three-year period.
This will be the first time a twice-daily service has operated on the Donegal-Dublin route, a move which has been widely welcomed, particularly in business circles.
Donegal Airport is in Carrickfinn, close to Gweedore industrial estate, in the west of the county, a five-hour drive from Dublin.
Euroceltic Airways will be taking over from Aer Arran, which operated a once-daily service. According to Mr Breandan Ó Baoill, operations manager at the airport, passenger numbers are around 30 per cent up on last year, "but the service was geared more towards the leisure end of the market".
Indeed, the service was of limited use to the business community as it was not possible to go to Dublin and back in the same day as there was only a mid-afternoon flight. Now, Euroceltic Airways will base a plane and crew in Carrickfinn, with flights to Dublin departing at 7.55 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Departures from Dublin will be at 9.25 a.m. and 7 p.m.
"We have been canvassing for this for quite a time," said Mr Jimmy Boyle, president of the Gweedore Chamber of Commerce. "The times are perfect."
However, from September until April the Donegal-Dublin service will have just a morning departure, with the return flight in the evening.
Meanwhile, Mr Joe Corcoran, operations manager at Sligo Airport, is optimistic that the upward trend in passenger numbers will continue. "Over 24,000 passengers used the airport last year and to date this year numbers are up by over 20 per cent."
Sligo has had a Dublin service since 1988, previously operated by Aer Lingus and Aer Arran. The aim is to establish a direct service to either London or Birmingham.
Euroceltic Airways, which is owned by Irish businessman Mr Noel Hanley, will use 48-seater Fokker F27s on both routes. Fares will start at around €39 one-way, including taxes.
Managing director Mr Mike Johnson said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of these two new regional services. We are continuing to look at expanding the fleet and announcing new routes between the UK and Ireland and domestically within Ireland over the coming months."