Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, has announced the allocation of almost €8 million 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 | €5.664 million |
| Kerry | €1.813 million |
| Donegal | €0.346 million |
| Total | €7.823 million |
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.
Speaking following the announcements, Minister for Transport Darragh 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.”
He went on to say: “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.”
The projects approved for funding are:
Ireland West Airport
- Security Systems Upgrade
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) Charts
- Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade
- Aerodrome Fire Training Centre
- Solar PV Farm
- Electric Hi-Loader
- Electrical Ground Power Unit (GPU)
- Electric Ambulift
- ATC Engineering Vehicle Replacement
- Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGLS)
- Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) – Transition to Level 4
Kerry Airport
- Navigational Aid Test Equipment
- Repair to Localizer
- Oversize Baggage Dual View (DV)- Xray Unit
- Pavement Classification Rating (PCR) Assessment
- Fire Fighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Security Perimeter Access Road
- Electric GPU
- Electric AviRamp
- 2 x Snow Clearing equipment- Plough & Brush
- Aerodrome Markings
- Electric Tug
Donegal Airport
- Relocation of PAPI Units
- SIDs and STARs Implementation
- Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Equipment
- Smart UPS System for ATC & Security Equipment
- Surge & Lightning Protection for Critical ATC and Security Equipment
- Remote Controlled Gas Cannon for Wildlife Management
- Introducing Air Conditioning systems to Airfield Ground Lighting Constant Current Regulator (CCR) CCR and ATC Communication Room’s
- Solar PV Panels
- Wind Panel Assessment Project
- ACI ACA Level 4 Accreditation Renewal
2025 Operational Funding
As in previous years, eligible airports (Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Donegal airports) will be given the opportunity to submit applications for operational funding later this year. Over €4 million has been made available by Government to support core airport non-economic activity in the areas of Air Traffic Control (ATC), safety and security.
