Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, undertook to commission a review of the financial situation of Shannon Airport, which was carried out by NewERA. I understand that, according to that report, there is a need to continue to provide financial supports for Shannon Airport into 2022. The regional airports programme, which has been extended to Shannon Airport for 2022, must be extended permanently. What is in the report in that regard? We welcome the fact that €10 million was announced the day before yesterday for Shannon Airport under aviation supports, with €4.6 million for route activation programmes. Shannon Airport needs a connection into Europe. The Heathrow route is now back. It will go back to two flights a week in February and three flights a week in March and we hope to have an early morning flight as well. Transatlantic flights to Boston and New York with Aer Lingus will also return early in the new year. I ask the Minister of State to outline the recommendations contained in the medium-term review carried out by NewERA into the financial situation at Shannon Airport. We need to hear that the Government is committed to providing financial supports in the medium term and with regard to Covid more particularly. The regional airports programme should be extended to the airport permanently, not just for 2022. Shannon Airport's passenger numbers have reduced from 1.4 million to just under 400,000 last year, which is a reduction of nearly three quarters. It has been exponentially hit. I await the Minister of State's response regarding this report.

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