Smaller airports excluded from €10 tax

The country's two smallest airports have been excluded from the Government's departure tax after Finance Minister Brian Lenihan raised the threshold limits.

The previous eligibility limit of 10,000 annual flights will now be raised to 50,000 which will exempt Donegal Airport and Sligo Airport.

The €10 departure tax was introduced in last October's Budget and is due to come into effect on March 30.

Mr Lenihan said he adjusted the threshold limits after concerns were raised in the Dáil that the charges could negatively impact on regional airports.

"The importance of such airports to their local areas and their need to develop new routes was also stressed," he said.

"Having further considered the matter I have decided that flights departing from the smaller airports, which under the existing legislation would be subject to the air travel tax, should be excluded from the air travel tax.

"Based on passenger data the airports that will benefit from this increased exemption threshold are Donegal Airport and Sligo Airport."