Minister James Lawless has announced €4m operational funding for Donegal, Kerry, and Knock airports when he launched the Mid-term Review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 during a visit to Shannon Airport
A public consultation was conducted by the Department of Transport in 2023 for the review, which supported the Programme’s objectives and alignment with Ireland’s National Aviation Policy
The review highlighted the success of the Programme in enhancing Ireland’s connectivity through regional airports, with an overall 9pc increase in passenger traffic across regional airports in the past year
The review recommended developing a new Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme and expanding the scope of sustainability projects, and outlined future considerations to support regional development and strategic route development to and from the regions.
Minister Lawless said: “the primary focus of this review was on the performance of the Programme to date, recommendations and proposed actions on foot of this review, including the high-level actions being announced today, may contribute to the development of policy on future appropriate and cost-effective support measures for regional airports in Ireland, including the development of any future Programme. I recognise that regional airports face financial challenges in meeting their carbon reduction targets under the Climate Action Plan. In recognition of the importance Government attaches to airports being well positioned to meet their carbon reduction emission targets and build resilience against the likely impact of climate change, I am delighted to announce today a new Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme. This Programme, with a budget of circa. €4m, mirrors the sustainability objectives of the Regional Airports Programme by supporting capital investment at Shannon and Cork airports. This investment builds on the €5.6m capital funding announced for Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports on 25 April. Further operational supports of an additional circa €4m will be allocated to these three airports later this year. This level of targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to our regional airports. Our National Aviation Policy is designed to create an environment that encourages the sector to enhance Ireland’s connectivity and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland’s sustainable economic growth and development. I am pleased to see the continued growth in connectivity across our regional airports this year with passenger traffic to end June being 9pc higher when compared with the same period last year. With a view to further enhancing regional connectivity, I have asked my Department to undertake a consultation process with relevant stakeholders to consider the potential for the development of a Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines, to further support new strategic route development to and from our regions.”
