Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Lowry for this important question in relation to aviation policy and indeed the role of Shannon Airport. More broadly, on the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, as the Deputy knows this arises from a 2007 condition attached to planning permission for terminal 2. I do not believe a 17-year-old decision holding back growth in 2024 to be a sustainable situation. I engaged with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on this to see if there are any options open to the Government, even in the short term, to try to mitigate the negative impacts or indeed accelerate the resolution of the underlying problem. I will come to the issue of the regions specifically. However, I am sitting beside the Minister for tourism who quite rightly reminds me of the fact that so many of the visitors who land in Dublin Airport travel to the regions. Around 38% of people landing in Dublin are heading west. Of the 250,000 people working in the tourism sector, around 70% of them are in the regions outside of Dublin. I very much get the point in terms of the importance of balanced regional development. Of course, a plane landing in Dublin in many ways benefits the entire country as people spread out across our island.

The development of Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emergent global markets is a longstanding policy. However, it is important to the Government that we ensure sustainable development of Dublin Airport. We must ensure the balance of our objectives in the national aviation policy with the needs of business and tourism interests and the legitimate rights of local residents as well. We have seen about €124.6 million allocated to regional airports over the course of this Government's term alone. Around €47 million has been allocated to Shannon Airport since this Government came to office. Shannon Airport is currently eligible for funding under the new regional State airport sustainability programme. There are no capacity constraints at Shannon Airport or indeed at any of our regional airports. In 2023, Shannon Airport passenger numbers were 1.96 million, an increase of 22% on 2022. Indeed, last year saw the highest level of passengers in Shannon Airport since 2009, which is an encouraging sign. Ryanair recently announced increased services for the 2024 winter schedule at Shannon Airport with a 5% increase over the capacity it offered last winter.

That is about 30,000 additional seats. I assure Deputy Lowry that our national aviation policy recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport but also seeks to optimise the operation of the Irish airport network to ensure maximum connectivity with the rest of the world. Shannon Airport has the capacity to grow to 5 million passengers even within its current infrastructural footprint. The additional passenger capacity can be utilised to maintain and enhance connectivity to the west, north west and midlands and to facilitate charter flights, sporting events and additional scheduled services that cannot be met at Dublin Airport. There is a real opportunity for Shannon Airport to achieve its potential to expand services and meet currently unmet demand. It also has the option of the US preclearance facility, which is a huge resource. We are confident of Shannon Airport's future and eager to continue to support its growth.

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