Major Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has urged Transport Minister E. Ryan to double the funding cap for Ireland’s regional airports from 1 to 2 million passengers yearly.
This change would ensure their eligibility for government support under the Department of Transport’s Regional Airports Programme.
Currently, the Programme only funds airports with less than 1 million annual passengers, limiting growth in tourism, jobs, and regional economies.
Ryanair: “Capping Contradicts Policy”
Recently, the Department of Transport’s mid-term review claimed the Programme aligns with Ireland’s National Aviation Policy.
This initiative aims to boost connectivity and aviation’s contribution to sustainable economic growth. However, Ryanair argues that capping regional airport growth at 1 million passengers contradicts this policy.
The airline questions why Minister Ryan would maintain this restriction, especially when Dublin Airport already faces a passenger cap that hampers national growth.
Ryanair finds it illogical to penalize regional airports by removing funding as they grow and benefit their local economies.
In March, Ryanair presented Minister Ryan with a plan to increase Irish traffic and tourism by 50% over six years, reaching 30 million annual passengers.
This proposal included a $1.6 billion investment in new aircraft, creating over 800 jobs. It would double traffic at Cork, Shannon, and Kerry airports, and establish a new base at Knock Airport.
The airline says Minister Ryan has not responded to this proposal and continues to restrict regional airport growth through the 1 million passenger cap. Ryanair also notes the failure to address Dublin Airport‘s 32 million passenger limit.
Ryanair CEO Comments
Eddie Wilson, Ryanair’s CEO, gave comment on the issue. “It’s baffling that Ireland’s Transport Minister maintains both the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport and effectively limits regional airports to 1 million passengers through the Regional Airport Programme.”
“This policy discourages growth at regional airports like Knock, despite their efforts to boost local tourism and economies.
Ryanair aims to expand Irish air traffic and tourism, according to Wilson’s statement. He drew attention to the growth proposal, presented to Minister Ryan in March.
This outlined significant investments in Ireland’s regional airports, job creation, and traffic increases across regional airports.
“The 1 million passenger cap hinders this potential growth, as exceeding it would result in the loss of crucial funding for regional airports like Knock,” says Wilson.
“Minister Ryan’s policies are restricting growth not only at Dublin Airport but also at regional airports. We call on him to immediately raise the funding cap for regional airports to at least 2 million passengers annually, as permitted by EU regulations.”
“This change would drive more traffic, tourism, jobs, and economic growth to key regional airports and their surrounding communities.”
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