Ryanair demands change to regional airport supports

Airline calling for funding cap to be increased to two million passengers, saying current cap of one million is penalising regional airports for growing tourism

Ryanair said regional airports need the incentive to grow without being concerned about losing Government funding.

Low-cost airline Ryanair has called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to raise the passenger eligibility criteria for funding under the Regional Airports Programme, saying the current limits mean there is “no incentive” for regional airports to grow.

The Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 was established to provide support to the country’s smallest airports, which handle fewer than one million passengers a year. Ryanair is calling for the cap to be increased to two million passengers.