€3.6 million for capital projects at Ireland West Airport Knock

€3.6 million funding has been announced to support capital projects at Ireland West Airport, Knock and all regional airports.

Ireland West Airport today welcomed announcement of funding towards Capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, from the Department of Transport.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers TD, today announced a total of over €5.6 million to support eligible regional airports in Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West (Knock).

The funding comes in support of 13 safety and security related projects eligible for support under the Public Policy Remit – Capital (PPR- C) and CAPEX funding schemes under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025.

The funding will contribute to several approved projects at the Ireland West Airport, including runway and apron rubber removal, climate adaptation/mitigation plan, study for a solar PV farm, and more. The airport will invest over €1 million to support the completion of these projects in addition to the exchequer funding.

Arthur French, Chairman, Ireland West Airport, acknowledged Minister Chambers for his continued support of the Airport, and in 'ensuring critically important' projects are completed this year.

He added: "This funding will support the latest phase of investment by the airport, of over €1m, across several projects, including a major focus on a range of sustainability initiatives, aimed at both futureproofing the airport and supporting our progression to achieving level 3 ACA Certification.

"In addition, I wish to thank the Taoiseach Simon Harris, TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Eamonn Ryan TD and our local political representatives for their continued strong support for the airport and region as we prepare for another strong summer of passenger traffic at the airport.”

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Mayo TD, Alan Dillon, European election candidate Senator Lisa Chambers, Minister Dara Calleary, and Deputy Michael Ring, all welcomed the funding.

Minister Calleary said: “Once again I want to acknowledge the huge work of Joe Gilmore and the staff team at IWAK, to the chair Arthur French and board members and to all the stakeholders involved in the ongoing development of IWAK." 

Saying he was ‘very pleased’, Deputy Michael Ring said this support will ‘assist’  Ireland West Airport Knock in meeting their carbon reduction targets as well as ‘building resilience against climate change’.

He commented: “This level of targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to our regional airports being well positioned for growth. Ireland has established good connectivity with the UK, Europe and America via our five regional airports”.

Senator Lisa Chambers called the funding a 'boost' and 'a leap forward for our region', saying it enhances 'not just the airport's facilities but also securing its future as a central hub for international travel, tourism, and business'.

Minister Jack Chambers outlined that ‘exchequer funding provided to regional airports’ has enabled connectivity, with passenger traffic across these regional airports last year up 9 percent.

He continued: “I was pleased to witness further growth across our regional airports this year, with passenger traffic in Q1 16 percent higher when compared with the same period last year.”

Minister Dillon said the funding ‘reinforces the importance and value’ placed on regional airports by the Government in ‘supporting tourism and jobs’.

He concluded: “The airport is now looking forward to a successful summer, with indications that there will be high numbers of visitors to the airport.”