Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
252 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to Knock International Airport equivalent to that available to other Irish airports in view of the fact that it is now recognised and operating at international airport status and in view of the major importance of this airport to the entire BMW region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20589/04]
View answerThe programme for Government provides for the continued support of the six regional airports and my Department provides a range of financial mechanisms in support of this objective.
Knock Airport benefits considerably through a range of direct and indirect support mechanisms, namely, capital grant assistance towards essential infrastructural improvements under the BMW regional operational programme of the NDP, the allocation of assistance towards marketing, safety and security related expenditure incurred by the airport and scheduled flights supported by the PSO programme.
Under the NDP capital measure, my Department has provided €2.337 million in grant aid towards essential infrastructural improvements at the airport since December 2001. The primary purpose of the NDP measure is to provide grant assistance to facilitate the continued safe and viable operations at the airport. A further round of projects under the measure is currently being considered for funding by my Department.
With regard to capital investment at the three State airports, I should point out that investment in infrastructure at Dublin, Shannon and Cork is funded by Aer Rianta from its own resources and financing arrangements. Non-recourse to the Exchequer will continue following the restructuring of Aer Rianta.
Scheduled air services linking Knock Airport with Dublin are subsidised through the public service obligation, PSO, programme. Aviation and passenger handling charges applied by Knock Airport for handling PSO flights represent a significant proportion of total operating income for the airport.
The airport also receives approximately €400,000 from my Department each year towards marketing, safety and security related expenditure.
I am aware that, under the guidance of the new management team, the airport has enjoyed some success in recent years and I am encouraged to see the growth in passenger numbers, particularly on new non-subsidised services to the UK.
In recognition of the role that the airport can play in stimulating more balanced economic development for the north west, my Department will continue to assist Knock Airport as it develops into the future. However, any financial assistance would have to be carefully evaluated in line with the general scale of operations at the airport and wider transport and aviation policy.
