Exchequer support is provided to Ireland’s regional airports through a Regional Airports Programme 2021 – 2025. In light of the impact of COVID-19 on Ireland’s smaller regional State airports Exchequer support was also provided in 2021 to regional State airports under a COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021.
See below links to both programmes and the associated Regional Airports Investment Scheme, which are administered by the Department of Transport in line with relevant EU rules on State aid and the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).
While funding under both Programmes is predominantly targeted at safety and security related projects and activities, funding also supports sustainability objectives. This helps eligible airports comply with international regulatory requirements in the areas of safety and security and contribute to national climate targets. The National Development Plan has committed €82.37 million in capital funding to regional airports over the period 2021 to 2030.
In line with the publication requirements of the 2014 Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines, the following represents the form and amount of aid that was granted to airports under the CAPEX and OPEX Schemes of the previous Regional Airports Programme. Also included is aid granted in 2021 under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 and COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021.
Principal Economic Sector: Aviation
Region: NUTS Level II (Code IE04 and IE05)
Type of Undertakings: SMEs
| Beneficiary of Aid and Scheme | NUTS Code | 2015 €000 | 2016 €000 | 2017 €000 | 2018 €000 | 2019 €000 | 2020 €000 | 2021 €000 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Donegal Airport (CAPEX) | IE041 | 0 | 231 | 0 | 239 | 461 | 0 | 149 | 43 | 361 |
| Donegal Airport (OPEX) | IE041 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kerry Airport (CAPEX) | IE053 | 0 | 181 | 345 | 814 | 630 | 97 | 720 | 184 | 294 |
| Kerry Airport (OPEX) | IE053 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ireland West Airport (CAPEX) | IE042 | 0 | 1,201 | 502 | 1,477 | 6,702 | 553 | 1,725 | 1,242 | 1,790 |
| Ireland West (OPEX) | IE042 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Waterford Airport (CAPEX) | IE052 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Waterford Airport (OPEX) | IE052 | 757 | 594 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Shannon Airport (CAPEX) | 2,931 | 4,708 | ||||||||
| Cork Airport (CAPEX) | 3,382 | 1,370 |
Principal Economic Sector: Aviation
Region: NUTS Level II (Code IE05)
Type of Undertakings: SMEs
| Beneficiary of Aid and Scheme | NUTS Code | 2021 €000 |
| Cork Airport (CAPEX) | IE053 | 10,000 |
| Shannon Airport (CAPEX) | IE051 | 2,907 |
Funds relating to air traffic control, fire services and security were also provided to airports under the Public Policy Remit (PPR) Schemes of both Programmes.
Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025
Published 4 February 2021
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Covid Regional State Airports Programme 2021
Uploaded 12 march 2021
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Exchequer supports were provided under a Supplementary Support Scheme to Irish Airports in 2021 to help address liquidity issues at airports as a result of COVID-19. The overall budget for the Scheme in 2021 was €116 million.
See below link to the European Union Decision approving the Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Transport in line with the EU’s Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current emergency of COVID-19, and Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
This funding has compensated Ireland’s smaller regional airports for the damage caused to them by COVID-19 and has provided Ireland’s State airports with flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, with a view to supporting recovery and growth of connectivity.
In line with the publication requirements on State aid to airports the following represents the amount of aid that was granted to airports under this Scheme.
Principal Economic Sector: Aviation
Region: NUTS Level II (Code IE04, II05 and IE06)
Type of Undertakings: SMEs, Large Enterprises
| Beneficiary of Aid and Scheme | NUTS Code | 2021 €000 |
| Donegal Airport | IE041 | 258 |
| Kerry Airport | IE053 | 1,798 |
| Ireland West Airport | IE042 | 2,806 |
| Cork Airport | IE053 | 8,379 |
| Shannon Airport | IE051 | 5,494 |
| Dublin Airport | IE061 | 97,240 |
While the Scheme was initially approved by the EU on 23 February 2021 with a budget of €26 million a subsequent amendment to increase the budget by €90 million to €116 million received EU approval on 3 December 2021.
Read both European Union Decisions in full: