The government has agreed a revised €80 million funding package for Irish aviation in a package which will provide an extra €48 million in supports for 2021 above those announced in Budget 2021.
The announcement has been welcomed by Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil as it will also provide further operational and capital funding supports of €22m for Cork and Shannon Airport deemed crucial tourism channels for Kerry.
This allocation is in addition to the €10m in capital funding already announced in Budget 2021.
Knock, Kerry and Donegal
For the smaller regional airports of Knock, Kerry and Donegal, in addition to the €21m in funding available under the Regional Airports Programme for 2021, further operational support of €6m will be made available.
The funding package will also include an Airport Charges Rebate Scheme for January to March 2021, subject to State Aid approval from the EU Commission.
Shannon – Dublin Rail Link
This is one of the recommendations made by the Task Force for Aviation Recovery and, at an estimated cost of €20m, will support the retention of core connectivity through the winter season.
Government has also decided that a study should be undertaken to assess the potential for a rail link from Shannon Airport and Shannon town to the Dublin – Limerick rail line.
The forthcoming National Economic Plan will provide for any further appropriate measures to safeguard strategic regional connectivity and the resilience of the aviation sector.
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