Ireland West Airport in Mayo awarded funding of €3.6 million

The funding is part of an overall package of €5.6 million announced today by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers to support eligible regional airports in Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West (Knock).

His announcement came as he visited Donegal Airport as part of his ministerial responsibility for aviation.

He allocated the largest sum of €3.666m to Ireland West Airport, Knock.

Some of this funding will be used for the commencement of an Aerodrome Fire Training Centre at Ireland West Airport.

The allocation will contribute towards capital investment in safety and security at the airport, while also supporting projects with a sustainability focus.

This will assist airports in meeting their carbon reduction targets as well as building resilience against climate change.

Speaking at Donegal Airport, Minister Chambers said, “I am pleased to be here today to announce the 2024 capital funding allocations under the Regional Airports Programme.

"This funding represents significant investment in our regional airports.

“While many of the projects being supported have environmental aspects to them, ten of the projects approved for funding, amounting to €1.2 million, have a fundamental sustainability focus.

"These include Carbon Reduction Plans here at Donegal and at Ireland West Airport.

"Other projects include the upgrade to electric vehicles at Kerry Airport and Ireland West Airport,” said Minister Chambers.

The funding comes at a time when traffic through regional airports has increased when compared to 2019.

Minister Chambers said this level of targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to our regional airports being well positioned for growth.

"Ireland has established good connectivity with the UK, Europe and America via our five regional airports.

“Exchequer funding provided to regional airports and supporting PSO air services to date has enabled this connectivity and strong recovery, with passenger traffic across these regional airports last year up 9% when compared with 2019 passenger levels, the last comparable period prior to COVID-19.

"I was pleased to witness further growth across our regional airports this year with passenger traffic in Q1 16% higher when compared with the same period last year,” said Minister Chambers.