Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to continue the regional airport programme, which expires in 2025, as it ensures the viability of regional airports, such as Kerry Airport at Farranfore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2175/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the further steps that can be taken by his Department to attract international routes and flights to regional airports such as Kerry Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2176/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.

In line with National Aviation Policy, Government provides substantial annual funding under a Regional Airports Programme which supports Ireland’s smallest regional airports, i.e. those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum. Kerry Airport along with Ireland West and Donegal airports are currently eligible for funding under this Programme.

The current Programme for the period 2021-2025, supports vital safety, security and sustainability activities and operations at these airports, as well as Public Service Obligation (PSO) Air service between Dublin and Donegal.

As the Deputy will be aware the new Programme for Government commits to continuing to invest in the Regional Airports Programme and to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. I can assure the Deputy that this new Programme will be progressed by my Department as a matter of priority this year.

Ireland has established good connectivity via our regional airports with the UK, Europe and America. The targeted Exchequer funding provided by my Department to this sector has supported this connectivity, with overall passenger traffic across Irish regional airports in 2024 up 7% over 2023 levels. This also represents a significant 17% increase on 2019 passenger traffic, the last comparable period prior to COVID-19.

In terms of further steps that can be taken to attract international routes and flights to regional airports, I wish to advise the Deputy that the operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, in consultation with airports and other market actors, based on the commercial viability of the route in question and other operational factors. While my Department ensures that the appropriate regulatory frameworks exist for the operation of air services, I do not have a role in the commercial decisions of airlines.

That being said, a mid-term review of the Regional Airports Programme was undertaken by my Department and the high-level outcomes were announced last July. In line with these outcomes and with a view to supporting future growth, my Department will shortly be engaging with the market to consider the potential for the development of an Exchequer funded Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines. It is envisaged that such a scheme would support strategic route development to and from the regions, including Kerry Airport.

I trust that these initiatives, which have been designed to enhance Ireland's connectivity and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development, will be welcomed by the Deputy.