Air travel in Ireland has to be restructured due to financial constraints, according to Padraig Ó Céidigh, the chairperson and largest shareholder of Aer Arann.
This has implications for regional airports around the country and the amount of funding made available from central government.
Speaking on Adhmhaidin on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta this morning, Ó Céidigh said that some airports have a stronger case than others, and compared airports in Donegal and Galway.
He believes that the connection between Donegal regional airport and Dublin, and the funding provided is essential, because travel between both places can be difficult.
However, motorway and train connections between Galway, and the close proximity of Shannon airport to Galway airport means that Galway's case for funding was not as strong, he said.
Passenger numbers on the Aer Arann Galway-Dublin route, in the last three years has decreased by two thirds.
In relation to industry locating in the west and the importance of an air connection between Galway and Dublin, Ó Céidigh said that companies would take the air connection into account, but it would not be the determining factor when deciding upon where to set up.
The latest Icelandic volcano eruption has not affected Aer Arann too much, he said, but some flights were cancelled.
A lot has been learnt by authorities over the past year in relation to the ash clouds.
Ó Céidigh agrees with Michael O'Leary and Ryanair in that that the authorities are being too conservative and are grounding flights which should be allowed to carry passengers.
