Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to Kerry Airport which is vital to Kerry tourism, and where we urgently need more flights to Kerry airport to connect other parts of the EU; if there any plans in the near future to ensure this would happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Government recognises the important role regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. As such, Kerry Airport has received almost €20 million in exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme over the past 10 years. This support is targeted at safety and security related operations and activities to ensure the airport remains regulatorily compliant. In turn, this best ensures that there are no associated regulatory impediments to the operation of scheduled air services.

While passenger numbers at Kerry Airport were significantly impacted due to COVID-19, a 96% recovery was seen last year. Current passenger forecasts are for an even stronger than expected recovery, with 2023 levels tracking ahead of 2019.

However, the operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, in consultation with airports and other market actors, based on commercial viability and other operational factors, and I have no role in such commercial decisions.