Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
29. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport his view on Shannon Airport becoming a permanent member of the Regional Airports Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4613/24]
View answerThe Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 supports Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide connectivity and handle fewer than one million annual passengers (on average over the two preceding financial years).
By virtue of its size and passenger numbers Shannon Airport was not eligible for funding under the Programme until 2022. At that time Shannon Airport became eligible due to supressed passenger numbers in 2020 and 2021, as a direct result of COVID-19, and continued to remain eligible under the Programme in 2023. However, given that passenger numbers at Shannon Airport reached almost 1.96m in 2022, the airport will not be eligible for funding under the Programme this year.
Over the period 2020-2023 Shannon Airport benefited from unprecedented aviation Exchequer supports totalling almost €47 million. €23 million was provided under the Programme with a further €24 million provided in COVID-19 related aviation Exchequer supports. This funding has facilitated the strong recovery of Shannon Airport, with 2023 being the best year for passenger numbers since 2009.
Pre COVID-19, it had been Government policy that State-owned airports, like Shannon, operate on a fully commercial basis with no recourse to Exchequer funding. That said, the Regional Airports Programme provides that a mid-term review be undertaken in 2023. As advised to the Deputy earlier this week, my Department carried out a public consultation process last year to inform the review and officials have submitted their assessment to me which I am now considering.
In relation to Shannon Airport’s permanent inclusion under the Programme, it would not be appropriate for me to share my views on this matter until I have fully considered the review along with the proposed actions set out therein.
I will be engaging with colleagues across Government in reaching a conclusion on the review.
