'It’s not a luxury, it’s essential': Why the Kerry-Dublin flight is a lifeline for workers and businesses
The twice-daily service is now Kerry Airport’s most popular service. File photo
The Kerry/Dublin flight route, one of Ireland’s few domestic commercial services, has become more than just a convenient way to bypass hours of lengthy travel. Nowadays, it is a vital link underpinning local tourism, supporting regional jobs, and enabling rural living.
Since the flight’s takeover by Ryanair in 2021 following the collapse of its previous provider, Stobart Air, operated by Aer Lingus as a public service obligation, the route has gone from strength to strength, with the twice-daily service now Kerry Airport’s most popular service.
From tourists landing in Dublin seeking access to the southwest or Kerry natives travelling for work, the route has proven to be instrumental for individuals and businesses, as well as for the wider regional economy.
“The flight is an absolute gamechanger for me,” says Orla Diffily, who uses the flight almost every week. “If it wasn’t for this service, I would not have been able to live and work in Kerry for so long. It is crucial for me.”
The Dublin native, who is originally from Portmarnock, lived in Kerry for over 30 years before recently relocating back to the capital for personal reasons.
However, Ms Diffily, a well-known stylist who also runs Upfront Model Management, continues to rely on the service, calling it more affordable and less exhausting than driving, which takes around four hours by car.
“I lived in Kerry for 33 years and it is still my favourite place in the world. Throughout that time, that flight was a necessity for me as the majority of my client base is in Dublin.
“I had to move back to Dublin last November, but I am still up and down every week on the flight.”
Ms Diffily says the cost-effectiveness of the Ryanair route, which costs an average of €20 one-way, allows her flexibility that cannot be replicated by other modes of public transport.
“Sometimes I will book more than one flight just to give myself the option, and it still works out cheaper. If I were to get the train from Kerry to Dublin, I would then have to go to Malahide, which, if late at night, would mean getting a taxi, which could cost up to €70.
"Add that to the price of a train ticket and we’re looking at well over €100 already.
While popular among many individuals, the route has also provided a lifeline for regional Kerry businesses.
Ken Tobin, chief operations officer of regional co-working hub network Entara, says the service has provided a massive boost for the local economy through the provision of remote working opportunities.
“The Kerry/Dublin service is critical for business, as is the Kerry/London route for the same reason.
“Because of the flight, many businesses centred around Dublin now have the opportunity to base themselves here in Kerry.
“We have so many multinationals based here already, from Kerry Group, Liebherr, Fexco, Tricel and Astellas, among others. These are all major contributors to the local economy.
Managing director of Killarney-based recruitment company Red Chair Fred McDonogh agrees, calling the service a game-changer for both him and his business.
“Our business is split between Kerry and Dublin, making this service critical for us. We have staff across both areas using it at least every fortnight,” Mr McDonogh tells the .
“Our workforce is also split, with three based in Dublin and the remaining 19 here in Killarney. But in addition to that, we also use the service to fly candidates so they can interview for jobs in person.”
The managing director says face-to-face interviews are still of utmost importance for many smaller companies in Kerry, with the flight service facilitating the hiring process and enabling the company to bring new people to Kerry.
Red Chair Recruitment is also a preferred supplier for the HSE, with Mr McDonogh and his team involved in bringing doctors and other medical staff from Dublin to Kerry to interview and work in Munster. For this, he says the service remains invaluable.
Talent and influencer manager Alan Cawley also credits the flight service for enabling his career and allowing him to settle full-time in Kerry.
“I worked in Dublin for years, but recently made the move to just outside Killorglin,” says Mr Cawley, who is originally from Laois but now runs his talent agency, Marvel, from Kerry.
“The nature of the job means I still need to go to Dublin regularly. I’m still up every second week for a few days, making the service crucial for me.”
Like Ms Diffily, Mr Cawley also says the cost-effectiveness and flexibility offered by the service are unparalleled.
“It takes me three minutes to leave my car and get through Kerry Airport security. Meanwhile, if I want to get the train, we’re left with only two direct services and whatever unexpected interruptions that usually occur along the way.
“Not having the service would have made moving here so much harder. It just wouldn’t have been as viable without it.”
Short-haul domestic flights have long been a point of contention, with economic arguments often counteracted with sustainability concerns. Countries across Europe are seeing demand for domestic flights drop as sentiment evolves in accordance with a worsening climate.
This has also been helped by alternative transport becoming more affordable in recent years as Governments continue to slash prices in a bid to increase demand for public transport.
But for people in Kerry, many say viable alternatives are just not there yet.
“Of course, there needs to be a balance between sustainability and accessibility, but right now, this flight is not just a luxury, it is essential,” says Ms Diffly.
Mr Cawley agrees, adding that while the potential for other short-haul domestic flights may be outweighed by climate concerns, the Kerry/Dublin route is one that deserves to be kept.
Speaking to the , John Drummey, head of PR for Kerry Airport, says it is doing everything it can to enhance sustainability.
“Sustainability is at the forefront of everything Kerry Airport does. We are always trying to be greener and have several measures in place to achieve that, including our vehicle fleet now being fully electric,” Mr Drummey said.
“Kerry has many ways to reduce its carbon footprint and it is doing that,” says Mr Cawley. “But the flight to Dublin has to be a non-negotiable. We would be isolated without it.”
The Kerry/Dublin route has seen unprecedented demand since the pandemic, with the last two years in particular breaking previous annual records.
Strong demand helped Kerry Airport post revenue of more than €8.5m in 2024, up by 3% compared to the previous year, while its final profit of almost €1.4m represented a 14% rise on 2023.
Speaking in its annual results last year, Kerry Airport said that while it is committed to working with Ryanair to ensure their commercial venture continues successfully, it would implore the Government to ensure public support is reinstated if efforts to work with Ryanair “fail to achieve expectations”.
Speaking on the route in its latest annual results, Kerry Airport said: “The directors must stress the importance of this Government support in attracting airlines to operate at times and frequencies that are of vital necessity to the tourism and economic industries in the local economy.”
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