The government has announced €16.4m in state funding for regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, with a combined €9.8m being allocated to Shannon and Cork Airports.
The funding has been approved for a number of capital investments projects to improve safety and security as well as sustainability initiatives, including solar PV farms, electric vehicles, the provision of EV charging facilities for airport staff, and energy efficient lighting infrastructure.
Cork Airport has been awarded €5.4m while Shannon has been allocated €4.3m, and the remaining €6.6m will be split between Ireland West (Knock) €4.8m, Kerry (€1.1m) and Donegal (€720,000) airports.
The funding for Cork Airport will go towards the development of an electric substation that is expected to have "a great environmental impact" as well as the completion of the runway remediation project, which commenced last year with a runway overlay.
“Today’s announcement represents government’s commitment to continue to support Ireland’s regional airports to remain financially sustainable as they prepare for growth into the future," said minister Hildegarde Naughton.
In Association with
"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."
Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine said Shannon Airport will have with 26 services to 11 destinations for summer 2022.
"There is still a challenging few years ahead for the aviation sector," she added. "We are grateful for this government support and will use it to continue to fund vital improvements to our airport infrastructure.
“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.”
Regional airports are also entitled to apply for a portion of the €22m available in operational grant aid later this year to support air traffic control, fire services and security-related operations.
Photo (l-r) Mary Considine, Martina Coogan of United Airlines, and United Airlines pilot Captain Dan Sullivan. (Pic: Arthur Ellis)
