Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
80. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his engagement with the stakeholders of Cork Airport to increase connectivity and attract new routes to the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6949/24]
View answerIreland's National Aviation Policy recognises the strategic role played by Cork Airport in connectivity for it's surrounding, well-developed, industrial sector. Cork Airport also serves an important role from a tourism perspective as a gateway to both Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East. Attracting new routes to Cork is a commercial matter for the airport itself and the wider daa Group in discussion with carriers.
Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the aviation sector, Cork Airport was supported through the pandemic, with almost €41 million in direct aviation supports provided by Government. This included over €8 million in operational funding, providing the airport with the flexibility to roll out route incentives and charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, for when COVID-19 related travel restrictions were lifted.
This support proved successful and 2023 represented Cork Airport's busiest year in it's history, handling 2.8 million passengers. Summer 2023 saw 44 scheduled routes operated by eight airlines, with new services launched by both Aer Lingus and Ryanair.
Additional routes have been announced for summer 2024 and the airport authorities have indicated that they are expecting to handle three million passengers this year.
In relation to inbound international access and tourism, my colleague Minister Martin oversees the Regional Cooperative Market Access Scheme. This scheme is administered by Tourism Ireland and seeks to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions, including with matched funding from airlines, sea carriers, airports, ports and regional tourism stakeholders including Local Authorities.
€3 million has been allocated to Tourism Ireland in 2024 for the scheme to enable tactical partnerships and activities that will help drive increases in visitors to the regions, amplifying the Ireland message overseas and supporting direct access. Tourism Ireland strongly promotes our regional airports including Cork through the scheme, which will continue to form a very important part of Tourism Ireland's plans in supporting direct access to our regions.
