John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Waterford Airport suffered a dramatic decline in passenger numbers since the recession began, from 144,000 in 2008 to 28,000 in 2013, but the numbers have increased dramatically since 2014, by 15% to 16%. Waterford, like Knock, Donegal and Kerry, is still in receipt of the support under the regional airports programme. However, since 2011, successive transport Ministers have made clear the importance of what they call working to achieve financial viable in the medium term, and this is where I have the concern about the impact of the proposal by the European Commission. The Government pledged to bolster air traffic at airports with incentives, such as the ending of the €3 travel tax, but would the Minister agree that reducing state aid by any amount would ultimately hinder economic growth and deter multinational investments in Waterford Airport and other regional airports, and that regional airports play a crucial role in facilitating balanced regional development?

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