Press release
Minister of State Chambers announces over €11 million in operational funding for Irish Regional Airports
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Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers today announced the provision of over €11 million in direct Exchequer supports to Donegal, Kerry, Ireland West (Knock) and Shannon airports.
This operational funding is being administered under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. Funding provided targets support at vital safety and security operations at the airports such as air traffic control, fire services and security, ensuring airports can continue to remain compliant with regulatory requirements in these areas.
Announcing these allocations, Minister of State Chambers today said:
"I am pleased to be announcing funding of over €11 million today to Donegal, Kerry, Ireland West and Shannon airports under the Regional Airports Programme. This level of funding, which is 4.5% higher than last year’s overall operational funding allocation (to these airports), will support eligible salary costs in the areas of safety, security and air traffic control in 2023."
This funding, which is in addition to the €16.63 million in capital supports announced earlier this year, will see a total of €28 million in funding being dispersed to Irish regional airports this year, demonstrating Government’s continued commitment to this sector.
This level of funding has been fundamental to the strong return of vital connectivity and rebound in passenger traffic, witnessed across regional airports this year.
Commenting on this rebound, Minister Chambers said:
"Ireland’s connectivity to the rest of the world is essential for our continued economic development, attracting and sustaining foreign direct investment, facilitating tourism while also keeping us connected with friends and family abroad. With this in mind, I am delighted to see that with these Exchequer supports, overall passenger traffic at regional airports up to end October this year has shown a 9% increase, when compared to the same period in 2019."
The Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 provides support to Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers (on average over the two preceding financial years). In addition to targeting funding at safety and security related projects and activities, the Programme also supports projects with a sustainability focus, encouraging airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Donegal and Dublin are also supported under this Programme.
Please read the above attached document for more details.
*Cork Airport is not eligible for operational supports under the Regional Airports Programme in 2023, due to the strong rebound in passenger traffic in 2022 (2.24 million pax). However, as announced earlier this year, in recognition of the important role of Cork Airport to the economy of the south region and nationally, capital funding of €6 million has been made available to Cork Airport this year. This funding, which will support, in principle, the commencement of a significant security screening project next year, is consistent with the Programme for Government action to deliver capital programmes required to support services and ensure safety at our State and regional airports.
While Ireland’s connectivity was severely impacted during COVID-19, with the support of the unprecedented Exchequer funding provided to Irish airports over recent years, Irish airports have made remarkably strong recoveries from the impacts of the pandemic.
A strong return of vital connectivity and a strong rebound in passenger traffic was witnessed across Irish airports following the lifting of COVID-19 related travel restrictions in March 2022. This recovery was supported by the substantial Exchequer supports provided under the COVID-19 Supplementary Support Scheme for Irish Airports, which saw almost €116 million dispersed to Irish airports in 2021.
While this funding compensated the smaller regional airports at Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West for the damage caused to them by COVID-19, funding to Shannon, Cork and Dublin airports provided them with the flexibility to roll out route incentives, in consultation with airlines, which has supported the strong recovery and growth of connectivity in 2022 and throughout 2023.
Please read the above attached document for more details.