Chambers announces almost €17m funding for improvements at regional airports

Almost €17million in funding has been announced by the government to support projects at regional airports across Ireland. 

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers TD, made the announcement today (March 30) during a visit to Shannon Airport. 

A recent Economic Impact Assessment calculated that the airport generates close to €1billion annually for the economy and supports approximately 13,695 jobs. 

Four and a half million euro has been allocated to Shannon, with almost €600,000 for Donegal, just over €5million for Ireland West (Knock), €400,000 for Kerry and €6million for Cork, marking a total of €16,630,619. 

Speaking today, Minister Chambers said, "I am pleased to be back in Shannon Airport today. Shannon Airport is the State’s third busiest airport, welcoming over 1.5 million passengers last year, which represents an 88% recovery on 2019 passenger traffic. I am delighted to hear that the airport is well on track for another busy year in 2023. 

"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. This demonstrates the effective delivery of services, by the dedicated staff and management team who deliver for passengers on a daily basis, in meeting the extremely strong demand for international travel.” 

He continued: "I am delighted to announce this funding today, which will support significant airfield rehabilitation works at Shannon 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. 

"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." 

According to the Department of Transport, funding allocated to Cork Airport will allow for the commencement of a significant CAT 3 security screening project this year. 

To date, the government has provided funding to support projects employing this CAT 3 security screening technologies at Shannon, Donegal, and Kerry airports, with Knock receiving approval today for the technology as part of their 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.