SHANNON AIRPORT is to receive an allocation of €7.172m in the Regional Airports Programme.
€11.185m is to be shared between four airports under the programme with Shannon receiving the largest allocation. The total fund is a 4.5 percent increase on the amount announced last year. The new funding is in addition to the €16.63m in capital supports announced earlier this year.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers (FF) confirmed that Donegal Airport will get €0.721m in new funding, while Kerry will get €1.423m, Ireland West will receive €1.869m and Shannon Airport has secured €7.172m.
Safety and security operations such as air traffic control, fire services and security are aspects where the funding targets support. It also ensures the airports can continue to remain compliant with regulatory requirements in these areas.
Commenting on the funding allocation, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said, “We warmly welcome Minister Chamber’s announcement of €7.1 million Government funding under the Regional Airports Programme. It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting the region’s connectivity and the broader economic benefits this brings to the region. This funding supported some of the vital safety and security operational costs of running Shannon Airport during 2023”.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) told The Clare Echo, “This funding comes under the Regional Airports Programme and will ensure that Shannon is in a strong position again to compete with other airports for 2024. Shannon was disproportionately hit by the COVID crisis and many predicted the airport would not see a recovery point until 2025, Shannon’s recovery exceeded all expectations and it had a bumper 2023 season, the funding being announced today will help Mary Considine and her management team at Shannon Airport to meet the significant operational costs of the airport in 2024. I’m hopeful the New Year will see us secure further routes into North America and continental Europe”.
Shannon became eligible for the Regional Airports Programme in 2022 due to a slump in travel from 2020 to 2021 during the pandemic. Funds of €6.8m and €4.3m were awarded in previous years under the scheme.
A mid-term review of the scheme is underway, Junior Minister Chambers previously told The Clare Echo. In its current format, Shannon will not be eligible for the scheme from next year.
Eligibility for the programme is based on average passenger traffic over a two-year period and Shannon’s strong performances on traffic numbers this year could prohibit its inclusion in the scheme.
Ms Considine said of the ongoing mid-term review, “The inclusion of Shannon Airport in the Regional Airports Programme over the past few years has been invaluable in supporting our efforts to grow air connectivity, which is so vital for the business and leisure industries across the West of Ireland.
“We are proud of what we have been able to achieve so far. We know that if Shannon Airport were included permanently in the Regional Airports Programme, we can achieve even more for the people of our region while supporting the Government’s ambition to achieve balanced regional development.”
The mid-term review of the Regional Airports Programme, which is nearing completion, is looking at how the Programme is delivering on its objectives of supporting balanced regional development and how international connectivity and services, to and from the regions can be maintained and enhanced.
