SHANNON AIRPORT is to receive €4.3m under the Regional Airports Programme 2022.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton (FG) told The Clare Echo last month that the funding for Shannon would continue under the programme this year and has now announced an allocation of €4.3m. The Regional Airports Programme is set to continue until 2025, last year, Shannon Airport received €5.527m under the programme.
Cork Airport (€5,462,385) has received the biggest allocation followed by Knock (€4,760,485) with Shannon to get €4,347,750. Allocations to Kerry (€1,084,482) and Donegal (€722,169) make up the total of €16,377,271.
According to the Junior Minister, the allocations represent “a strong commitment to the aviation sector” and to “support Ireland’s regional airports to remain financially sustainable as they prepare for growth into the future”.
Naughton explained, “This capital funding will support a great number of safety and security related capital projects, ensuring that airports can continue to remain compliant with regulatory requirements in these areas. I am pleased to announce also that, in line with the broadening of the scope of the Programme, a significant number of this year’s projects have a sustainability focus, facilitating the sustainable growth of the sector”.
Mary Considine, Shannon Group CEO said the funding was “a very welcome support as we continue to manage our recovery. It will enable the airport to invest in vital infrastructure and rebuild in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
She stated, “While we have made good strides in restoring air services at Shannon with 26 services to 11 destinations for summer 2022 secured, there is still a challenging few years ahead for the aviation sector. We are grateful for this Government support and will use it to continue to fund vital improvements to our airport infrastructure.
“Throughout the pandemic we have endeavoured to improve our airport and make the passenger experience more enjoyable and easier. We were the first state airport to install technology which allowed us remove the 100ml rule on liquids in cabin bags, and we are committed to looking at further innovations across our Shannon Campus,” Mary concluded.
