Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
229. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he has taken to date in 2022 to reinstate the direct flights from Donegal Airport to Glasgow and to also establish a direct flight from Donegal Airport to an airport in the London area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49733/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our aviation sector, which included the loss of the Loganair Glasgow service from Donegal Airport. Government provided a suite of aviation specific supports, more than €160 million, for 2021 and 2022 to facilitate recovery and enable our airports to provide route and other incentives to stimulate the recovery of air connectivity.
Funding totalling almost €1.5 million was provided to Donegal Airport during 2021, supporting vital safety and security related operations, projects that can help deliver emissions reduction and climate resilience as well as providing compensation to the airport for the damage caused by COVID-19.
Such funding has continued into 2022, with the allocation of €700,000 in capital funding in April under the Regional Airports Programme. The airport is also eligible for operational grant aid under this Programme this year, which will be allocated to eligible airports in December, from an overall budget of €22 million.
Funding of €30 million was announced for Budget 2023 for the Regional Airports Programme, to support regional airports, including Donegal Airport.
The decisions to introduce new air routes are made by airlines, in consultation with the airports and other involved agencies, based on the commercial viability of the routes in question and other operational factors. I have no role in the commercial decisions of the private companies concerned.
That said, my department, through the Regional Airports Programme, supports regional connectivity between Donegal and Dublin through a Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service. This service shows government’s commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to this region for the next three years. It facilitates same day return trips from Donegal to Dublin, while also providing the option for further international connectivity via Dublin Airport.
