James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The National Aviation Policy (“NAP”), published in August 2015, established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector. The NAP was designed to create an environment that would encourage the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development. My Department will soon undertake work to update the NAP taking into account the changes in the aviation sector since 2015. The update will include a comprehensive public consultation as well as close engagement with aviation sector and other key stakeholders.

The Government continues to support Ireland’s smallest airports, those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum, under the Regional Airports Programme. Ireland West Airport (Knock), Kerry Airport and Donegal Airport are currently eligible under the Programme. The Department is currently exploring how policy can better align with Project Ireland 2040’s objective of promoting balanced regional development by undertaking a detailed analysis in relation to the broadening of the scope of Programme eligibility to allow for the inclusion of airports with greater than one million passengers.

The Government also currently supports Shannon and Cork airports under the recently announced Regional State Airport Sustainability Programme. A consultation process with relevant stakeholders to consider the potential for the development of a Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines to support strategic route development to and from the regions is also being progressed.

Regarding the question of slot allocation, Cork, Shannon, and Knock airports are not classified as coordinated airports under Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93. Therefore, there are no airport slot coordination controls on their capacities.

It is national policy to grow connections across the island and all potential growth in capacity of the regional airports is encouraged and supported. I am currently engaged in a round of consultations with key stakeholders, including the regional airports to explore how direct access to the regions can be facilitated, especially in a situation where Dublin Airport is constrained.