At the end of 2023, Ireland’s Department of Transport announced over 11 million EUR in funding for Irish regional airports.
This funding is being administered under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. It aims to support safety and security operations at Irish airports, including at air traffic control, fire service and security facilities.
This investment will help ensure airports remain compliant with updated regulatory requirements in these areas.
The funding allocation will benefit regional airports in Donegal, Kerry, Ireland West (Knock) and Shannon.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers T.D. 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 latest announcement follows 16.63 million EUR in capital support allocated earlier in 2023, totalling 28 million in funding for Irish regional airports within the year.
Government support in this field has been key for helping Irish airports rebound after the pandemic and process increased passenger numbers.
Minister Chambers added: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 2023 has shown a 9% increase, when compared to the same period in 2019.
