Donegal Airport
Donegal Airport is a privately-owned regional Irish airport serving County Donegal with scheduled flights to Dublin (twice daily under PSO contract) and Glasgow (up to four times weekly). It operates as the sole air gateway to Northwest Ireland, supporting tourism, medical transport, and regional connectivity.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersLetterkenny, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Donegal Airport does
Donegal Airport (legal name Aerphort Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teo) is a privately-held regional airport operating from a single site at Carrickfinn, County Donegal, Ireland, since 1986. The airport runs scheduled passenger services on two routes: a twice-daily Public Service Obligation (PSO) service to Dublin operated by Emerald Airlines (previously Aer Lingus Regional, contract running through February 2030) and a Glasgow service operated by Loganair up to four times weekly. Infrastructure includes a 1,496m grooved asphalt runway, terminal facilities, and the first ECAC EDS CB C3 approved CT checkpoint screening system deployed in Ireland (Smiths Detection HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX, 2022), plus solar PV generation and Performance Based Navigation procedures. The airport also supports general aviation, search and rescue operations (Rescue 118), offshore oil and gas helicopter activity, and air ambulance services.
The business model is anchored on three revenue streams: (1) aeronautical charges including landing fees (€15-€17.50 per tonne), handling fees (€9.75 per passenger plus €17.50 supplement), parking, hangarage, ground power unit fees, and out-of-hours charges (€330/hour); (2) Public Service Obligation subsidies from the Irish government supporting the Dublin route's essential connectivity mandate; and (3) ancillary income from car rental concessions (Enterprise, Europcar, GoCar, Kelly's Toyota/Yuko), taxi services, café/retail operations, and tourism marketing partnerships. Customer segments span regional residents and businesses requiring Dublin access, Wild Atlantic Way tourists, medical patients traveling to Dublin hospitals, students, the offshore oil and gas sector, and general aviation operators. Distribution is channel-led through airline partners (Aer Lingus/Loganair websites, IATA travel agents), the Dublin Airport Flight Connections Corridor for onward connections, and on-site car rental partners. The airport has achieved sustainability milestones including a 70.6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions against 2017 baseline by 2023, and first-in-Ireland Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 'Transformation' certification in 2025.
Donegal Airport firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Donegal Airport
- Legal name
- Aerphort Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teo
- Website
- https://donegalairport.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Donegal Airport is a privately-owned regional Irish airport serving County Donegal with scheduled flights to Dublin (twice daily under PSO contract) and Glasgow (up to four times weekly). It operates as the sole air gateway to Northwest Ireland, supporting tourism, medical transport, and regional connectivity.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Donegal Airport industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Airport Services
- NAICS
- Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)
- SIC
- Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Airport Food & Beverage Concessions (THABALAD)
Keywords
Where Donegal Airport is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Letterkenny
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Donegal Airport business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Airport Charges: Landing fees, handling fees, parking fees, hangarage fees, ground power unit charges, and passenger service charges levied on airlines and passengers using the airport facilities
- Public Service Obligation (PSO) Route Subsidies: Government financial support for operating essential air services on the Donegal-Dublin route under PSO scheme to ensure regional connectivity
- Ancillary Services: Revenue from car rental partnerships, taxi services, café/bar facilities, and retail concessions within the terminal
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Landing Fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Handling Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aircraft Parking |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Out of Hours Charges |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ground Power Unit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Donegal Airport product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Donegal Airport operates as a regional airport at Carrickfinn, County Donegal, providing scheduled commercial passenger air services between Donegal–Dublin (under a Public Service Obligation contract, currently operated by Aer Lingus Regional / incoming Emerald Airlines) and Donegal–Glasgow (operated by Loganair). The airport also delivers ancillary services including ground handling, aircraft parking and hangarage, fuel supply, passenger assistance (PRM), car parking, on-site car rental and taxi partnerships, café/retail concessions, and tourism/destination marketing for the Wild Atlantic Way and Gaeltacht regions.
Product overview
Donegal Airport operates as a regional airport providing scheduled commercial air services (Dublin via Aer Lingus Regional under PSO, and Glasgow via Loganair) along with ground transportation, parking, and tourism promotion services. The airport also supports general aviation including private aircraft, search and rescue, and air ambulance operations. Tourism-focused offerings include adventure activities, island excursions, and local event promotion as part of regional destination marketing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scheduled Air Services
- General Aviation Services
- Ground Transportation Services
- Airport Parking
- PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) Assistance
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 70.6% from 2017 baseline by 2023
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Donegal Airport
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Donegal Airport technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
Donegal Airport partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Emerald AirlinescoreEmerald Airlines was awarded the new PSO contract for the Donegal-Dublin route in February 2026, succeeding the previous operator. The contract runs until February 2030, ensuring long-term route stability. The airport worked to restore optimal flight times including overnight aircraft positioning.
- Dublin Airport (DAA)majorDublin Airport provides the Flight Connections Corridor for self-connecting passengers, allowing them to proceed to departure gates without clearing immigration and security when traveling with cabin baggage only on same-day onward flights
- Aer Lingus RegionalcoreAer Lingus Regional operates twice daily flights on the Donegal-Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO) route. This partnership provides essential regional connectivity enabling passengers to access Dublin and connect to worldwide destinations. The service is government-supported under the PSO scheme to ensure air access for the remote Northwest region.
- LoganaircoreLoganair, the UK's largest regional airline, operates flights between Donegal and Glasgow (up to 4x weekly). This is the only direct air link between the Northwest of Ireland and the UK. The airline has served Donegal since the early 1990s and provides year-round connectivity.
- Smiths DetectionmajorSmiths Detection supplied the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX scanner, the first ECAC EDS CB C3 approved checkpoint screening system in Ireland. The company supported the airport throughout design, installation, and provides ongoing maintenance services.
- Enterprise Rent-A-CarminorCar rental partner located at the airport; pre-booking recommended for passengers requiring vehicle rental upon arrival
- EuropcarminorCar and van rental available at the airport; collection 11am-8pm daily with dedicated counter inside the terminal
- GoCarminorCar sharing service with vehicles available at the airport; booking via app with unlock capability using smartphone; includes fuel and insurance
- Donegal Tourism CLGmajorCollaborated on new tourism artwork installation at the airport featuring design by Audrey Kavanagh, promoting Donegal branding and the 'céad míle fáilte' welcome message
- Failte IrelandmajorNational tourism development authority; contributed to tourism branding and artwork at the airport to promote Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and Wild Atlantic Way
- TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo LeitrimminorLocal Link bus services have increased stops at Donegal Airport, providing convenient and affordable ground transportation options for passengers
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Donegal Airport competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Donegal Airport social profiles
Digital presenceDonegal Airport compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Donegal Airport financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Donegal Airport leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Donegal Airport funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Donegal Airport M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Donegal Airport
What does Donegal Airport do?
Donegal Airport operates as a regional airport at Carrickfinn, County Donegal, providing scheduled commercial passenger air services between Donegal–Dublin (under a Public Service Obligation contract, currently operated by Aer Lingus Regional / incoming Emerald Airlines) and Donegal–Glasgow (operated by Loganair). The airport also delivers ancillary services including ground handling, aircraft parking and hangarage, fuel supply, passenger assistance (PRM), car parking, on-site car rental and taxi partnerships, café/retail concessions, and tourism/destination marketing for the Wild Atlantic Way and Gaeltacht regions.
Is Donegal Airport a public or private company?
Donegal Airport is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Donegal Airport founded?
Donegal Airport was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Donegal Airport based?
Donegal Airport is headquartered in Letterkenny, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Donegal Airport make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Airport Charges are the primary driver. The others are public Service Obligation (PSO) Route Subsidies and ancillary Services.
Does Donegal Airport have an API?
No public API is recorded for Donegal Airport.
What industry is Donegal Airport in?
Donegal Airport's product category is Regional Airport Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIALAE, Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access), with a secondary code of THABALAD, Airport Food & Beverage Concessions. Its NAICS code is 48811 and its SIC code is 4581.