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OVER 325,000 passengers travelled through Kerry Airport last year, marking a 6% increase on the figures for 2015. The positive details of the passenger numbers follow the recent pre-Christmas funding allocation of €2.77 million for Ireland’s four regional airports, including Kerry Airport.

The chairman of Kerry Airport, Denis Cregan, said: “We very much welcome the Minister’s announcement and the continued support of the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. Kerry Airport is a key asset for the county and the region and welcomed over 325,000 passengers in 2016, up approximately 6 % on 2015. The Airport needs continued investment and the approximate 600k received recently will assist Kerry Airport in growing passenger numbers into the future. The Airport is looking optimistically forward as tourism numbers to the Island of Ireland grew by almost 11% and while the 6% growth year on year is to be welcomed, Kerry Airport is falling short of the national figures of 11% growth for the period, which is a concern but also an opportunity. This key investment in infrastructure in the airport will ensure we can help deliver the key economic objectives for the region, increased tourism numbers, sustainability and job creation.”

The grants announced recently provide assistance towards the operational costs incurred by the four regional airports – Kerry, Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock and Waterford and were in addition to capital grant funding of €2.7 million that was paid in 2016 towards safety and security investments at the airports.

Minister Ross said: “These grant allocations are being made under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019, which supports these airports with both capital and operational grants for projects and activities in the areas of safety and security. The grants bring the total direct funding by my Department to the regional airports this year to €5.5 million. That amount increases to €13.1 million when the funding provided indirectly for the provision of Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services on the Donegal/Dublin and Kerry/Dublin routes is included.”

Kerry Airport is ideally located for anyone wishing to travel on business or pleasure with direct flights to seven destinations including: London Luton, London Stansted, Frankfurt-Hahn, Alicante and Faro (summer 2017) with Ryanair and to Dublin with Aer Lingus Regional.
For more details, visit http://kerryairport.ie/website/ or contact +353 66 9764644.