Shannon Airport to receive €6.1m in emergency funding: Deputy Joe Carey

Shannon Airport will receive €6.1 million in emergency funding in a boost to the airport as it prepares to reopen on a full-time basis next week, Clare TD Joe Carey has announced.

The emergency funding was agreed at a Cabinet meeting in Dublin yesterday evening..

Deputy Carey, who recently convened the all-party Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, confirmed Shannon is the only airport to benefit from this funding.

The Clare TD said: “This is a hugely welcome development for Shannon Airport, especially in light of recent developments as a result of the pandemic. The airport faces significant challenges, and this funding will provide an important lifeline to Shannon as it prepares to reopen on a 24-hour basis from July 1.”

Deputy Carey has been working closely with the Shannon Group to identify key areas of support the airport needs to resume operations in the wake of the pandemic. He also raised the issue of emergency funding with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on several occasions, including a meeting at Government Buildings this week.

The Clare TD added: “I would like to thank the Taoiseach and my colleagues for their response to the serious challenges facing Shannon following the Covid-19 outbreak, which has decimated the airline and hospitality sectors.

“I would expect that the new Minister for Transport will report back further to the Cabinet once they have been fully briefed on the level of support needed to secure the future of the airport.”

Today’s announcement will come as welcome news as Shannon Airport prepares to resume scheduled passenger operations from next Wednesday.

Deputy Carey added: “The return of passenger flights in and out of Shannon is obviously vital for the airport and all its employees, but also for many businesses and companies in Clare and the wider region. The entire West coast of the country depends hugely on tourism traffic provided by the airport and local industry and the significant FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] presence in the Mid-West and western regions depends greatly on the connectivity it provides.”