Mayo views sought in review of Regional Airports Programme

MINISTER of State Hildegarde Naughton has asked her department to commence the mid-term review of the Regional Airports Programme.

The primary aim of the programme is to provide funding to Ireland’s smallest airports - those that provide connectivity and handle fewer than one million annual passengers, including Ireland West Airport.

Funding is targeted at ensuring the airports can maintain compliance in the areas of safety and security. It also supports projects with a sustainability focus.

Said Minister Naughton: “Government recognises the important role our regional airports play in supporting regional connectivity and as access points for both tourism and business. The mid-term review will consider how the programme is currently delivering on its objectives, primarily in the context of supporting balanced regional development. It will also explore how international connectivity and services, to and from the regions can be maintained and enhanced.”

In preparation for the opening of a public consultation to inform this review, Minister Naughton would welcome views from interested parties on the range of issues that might be addressed in an issues paper in relation to, for example, how we can boost traffic to and utilise better our regional airports. Such issues can then be considered for inclusion in the issues paper, which will be published as part of the public consultation process.

Government has maintained a strong commitment to the aviation sector, both throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and now, as recovery across the sector and our airports continues. This support included an unprecedented €116 million under an EU State aid approved Covid-19 Supplementary Support Scheme for Irish airports. This funding compensated small regional airports at Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry for the damage caused to them by Covid as well as having provided state airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork with the flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines.

Initial views are welcomed by December 31 by emailing the Department of Transport at airportsdivision@transport.gov.ie.