Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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332. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the new regional airport programme will be released given the current programme expires in 2025; the steps his Department is taking to ensure that regional airports remain viable and are able to attract international routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11749/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware the 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.

In line with National Aviation Policy, Government provides substantial annual funding under the current Regional Airports Programme which supports Ireland’s smallest regional airports, those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum. Kerry Airport, along with Ireland West (Knock) 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 a Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Donegal and Dublin airports.

Ireland has established good connectivity via our regional airports with the UK, Europe and the U.S. 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 and a significant 17% increase on 2019 passenger traffic, the last comparable period prior to COVID-19 which had a detrimental impact on air connectivity at that time.

In terms of further steps that can be taken to attract international routes and flights to regional airports, the operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, in consultation with airports and other market actors. Such decisions are 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 with the high-level outcomes announced last July. In line with these outcomes and with a view to supporting future growth, my Department intend to engage 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.

I trust that these initiatives, which have been designed to support National Aviation Policy to create an environment that would encourage the sector 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.