Over €4.3 million in funding for Shannon Airport
- Latest tranche of funding has been issued
- Shannon benefits due to lower passenger numbers in pandemic
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Tourism and Aviation Cathal Crowe has welcomed the latest tranche of funding for Shannon Airport.
The airport has been allocated a further €4,347,750, through the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, announced in the Budget.
“Growth in Shannon Airport is better than many would’ve anticipated for 2022,” said Deputy Crowe.
“In its past 2 budgets the government has committed unprecedented levels of funding for regional airports.
“Being a regional state airport, Shannon wouldn’t ordinarily qualify for this funding – nor would Cork – but due to lower passenger numbers in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid pandemic, the draw-down of this finance has been made possible.
“I recently met with representatives for IATA and they, along with others in the aviation industry, are now predicting that a recovery to pre-pandemic air travel could be achieved by 2024, rather than the previous estimate of 2025.
“There’s much to be optimistic about in Shannon Airport with transatlantic flights now very much resumed and Ryanair offering a bumper season of inbound and outbound flights.
“Also, with a new chairperson at the helm working in tandem with Mary Considine, we’re all hoping for further growth at the airport.
“I recently accompanied a group of senators and assembly members from New Jersey, USA to the airport and I am in talks with them and other foreign dignitaries in terms of developing new potential air routes from Shannon.”
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