Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To give an idea of the policy areas that were identified in the scoping exercise in 2020, the themes included: international context and connectivity; safety and security; infrastructure, operations and enterprise; and sustainability and climate. Aspects for consideration included defining optimal connectivity and looking at how to shape a future direction for both State and regional airports, looking specifically at how best they support the economic and social benefits of the regions they serve.

It is also important to state as well that the operation of air services to, from and between airports remains a commercial decision for air carriers and our airports. That is something that I was very strong on even during the pandemic, when we did not have international travel but where I wanted to give funding directly to the airports so that they could negotiate directly with airlines in order to attract connectivity to the regions. It is important to say that these will be commercial decisions made by airlines. They will go to the airports which make viable and commercial sense for them also.

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