Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien has announced the allocation of almost €8m in Exchequer funding to Regional Airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025.
This funding has been allocated to eligible regional airports at Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Donegal airports as follows:
2025 Capital Funding Allocations
| Airport | Grant Allocation |
| Ireland West | €5.664m |
| Kerry | €1.813m |
| Donegal | €0.346m |
| Total | €7.823m |
This funding will contribute towards capital investment in the areas of safety and security at airports, while also supporting projects with a sustainability focus, assisting airports to meet their carbon reduction targets as well as building resilience against climate change.
Minister O’Brien said: “I am pleased to announce the 2025 capital funding allocations under the Regional Airports Programme. Among the 33 projects being supported this year are Solar PV projects which will see the expanded production of electricity from renewable sources at Donegal Airport and the installation of a solar PV farm at Ireland West Airport. This builds on the support provided last year for solar PV farm projects at Shannon and Cork airports. Other significant investments include new safety and security upgrades at Kerry and Donegal airports as well as the continuation of the Aerodrome Fire Training Centre and Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade projects at Ireland West Airport.
Minister O’Brien added: “This level of targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to our regional airports which facilitate connectivity. The targeted Exchequer funding provided by my Department to this sector has supported strong growth in passenger numbers, with overall passenger traffic across Irish regional airports last year 7% above 2023 levels. This positive trajectory has continued this year with 6% growth in passenger traffic across regional airports in Q1.
“The Programme for Government commits to continuing to invest in the Regional Airports Programme and to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. This new Programme is being progressed by my Department as a matter of priority this year.”
