The Shannon Airport Group has welcomed the allocation of €4.6m in Government funding for Shannon Airport in Co Clare.
More than €16.6m in exchequer funding for the regional airports - Shannon, Donegal, Knock and Kerry - was announced by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers at Shannon Airport today.
Mary Considine, the CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said the new funding shows the Government's commitment to supporting the region's connectivity and the broader economic benefits this brings to the region.
"The capital funding announced today will support the ongoing programme of replacement of our passenger airbridges, essential airfield rehabilitation works and other projects as we continue to rebuild post-Covid," she added.
Shannon Airport, the State's third busiest airport, saw over 1.5 million passengers last year, which represents an 88% recovery on 2019 passenger traffic.
Already this year, the number of passengers travelling through Shannon Airport during January and February were up by 21% and 17% respectively compared to the same periods in 2019.
Minister Chambers said said the new funding for Shannon will support significant airfield rehabilitation works at the airport this year, as well as three new passenger airbridges.
This will bring the number of new airbridges supported by way of Exchequer funding at Shannon Airport to six since 2021.
"Security screening equipment upgrades are also being supported, along with the continued support for water supply system upgrade works," Mr Chambers said.
"Continuing to assist Shannon Airport in transitioning to a low carbon economy, support for the replacement of four airport operational vehicles with electric vehicles is being provided. This builds on the seven safety, security and operational vehicles already replaced at the airport by way of Exchequer funding in the past two years," he added.
Shannon Airport plays a crucial economic role across the West of Ireland, with a recent Economic Impact Assessment calculating that the airport generates close to €1 billion annually to the economy and supports about 13,695 jobs.
Today's funding announcement for the regional airports will also support similar projects across Donegal, Knock and Kerry airports.
While Cork Airport is not eligible for supports under the Programme in 2023, €6m is being provided, in principle, to the airport for the start of a significant CAT 3 security screening project in 2023.
The project is currently being assessed by the Department in line with the Public Spending Code.
"I welcome the renewed commitment from Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers T.D. of €6,000,000 in funding towards our new CAT 3 security screening project at Cork Airport – the largest, single allocation of funding as part of Regional Airports Programme," said Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director of Cork Airport.
"As the busiest and largest airport in the South of Ireland and a key economic enabler, providing the best international connectivity for passengers in Munster and South Leinster, we welcome Government's renewed commitment to invest in Cork Airport."
The Government has so far provided funding to support projects employing this CAT 3 security screening technologies at Shannon, Donegal, and Kerry airports.
Ireland West Airport (Knock) today received approval for this security screening technology as part of its funding allocation under the Regional Airports Programme.
This security screening technology allows both electronic devices and liquids to be left in hand luggage for screening, expediting the whole security screening process and enhancing the overall passenger experience at airports.
