Ireland's six regional airports are being given more than €6 million in Government funding over the next two years, the Minister for Transport announced today.
Grants totalling €6.37 million - allocated under the National Development Plan - will go to almost 20 projects aimed at maintaining safe operations at Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Waterford and Kerry airports.
Consideration was also being given to funding runway safety improvements at Sligo Airport and enhanced navigational aids at Knock Airport.
Mr Cullen said he was hopeful that he could increase the funding to €12 million. Under the current round of grants, Knock airport is getting funding of more than €2 million, with Waterford receiving just under €2 million.
Donegal has been allocated more than €1 million, Galway €692,000 and Sligo €180,000. Kerry Airport is set to receive €500,000 under the plan.
The Minister also announced the start of an EU procurement process for the renewal of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service contracts on routes linking Dublin with the regional airports.
The Department of Transport is inviting tenders for the operation of services on the regional routes.
The capital funding is the second round of grants to the regional airports under the National Development Plan.
PA