Funding spurs call for aviation reform
A Cork senator has welcomed the announcement of €5.4 million in capital funding for Cork Airport but said more needs to be done to shift passenger numbers towards Cork.
Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer, a member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, said the funding would help to future-proof the airport from a climate action perspective while ensuring it remains Ireland’s second airport outside of Dublin.
Senator Buttimer said the inclusion of Cork Airport in the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 was merited due to the decimation of passenger numbers in Cork.
He said it is critical for the future that aviation policy includes an urgent need to intensify passenger numbers coming through Cork Airport.
“As people return to travel, it’s clear that vibrant regional airports are necessary. Cork Airport offers a quality passenger experience and I’m asking Government ministers to urgently review our aviation policy to engage with airlines to promote a positive travel alternative to Dublin airport,” said Senator Buttimer.
The funding was announced earlier this week as part of €16.4 million in Exchequer funding to regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. Cork Airport’s allocation of €5.4 million was the largest sum allocated this year under the programme.
The €5.4 million will be used to support the construction of a new electrical substation serving the Cork Airport campus as well as other key safety and sustainability projects.
Construction of the new electrical substation will commence in Q2 2022 and will replace the present substation that has been in use since 1961.
The new substation will complement the recently reconstructed main runway and airside electrical renewal, for which the Government contributed €10 million of capital funding under the Covid-19 Regional Airports Programme 2021.
Acting Managing Director at Cork Airport, Roy O’Driscoll said the investment complements the €40 million being invested by daa at Cork Airport since 2019.
Mr O’Driscoll said: “The construction of a new electrical substation this year will see the completion of our airfield upgrades following the successful runway reconstruction last year. This year, Cork Airport will serve over 40 routes and welcome over two million passengers, representing a 77 per cent recovery on 2019.”
Other projects earmarked for completion at Cork Airport with the assistance of the Regional Airports Programme capital funding include: the replacement of an existing fire tender and associated safety equipment; significant LED lighting upgrades across the airport campus; and the replacement of two diesel vehicles with new, electric, zero-emission vehicles.
Dublin Airport
The announcement of funding for Cork Airport follows reports of Dublin Airport coming under significant pressure in recent weeks due to high passenger numbers.
This prompted the head of Limerick Chamber Dee Ryan to call on the Department of Transport to compel the daa to partner with regional airports to solve its capacity crisis and to ensure that passenger delays are avoided.
Ms Ryan said the problems at Dublin Airport can be relieved by transferring certain flights to Shannon, Cork, Ireland West (Knock) and Kerry airports, all of which have significant spare capacity.
She said: “Dublin Airport’s problems are not good for passengers, for Dublin Airport or our tourism reputation.
“We are not suggesting a short-term fix here but a meaningful look at services coming into and out of Ireland and being more strategic as to what airports are used for what flights. It’s an all-Ireland solution that we need to create, as distinct from a single or Dublin Airport-centric one, which we currently have.”