Waterford Airport set to qualify for regional airports funding once flights resume
Waterford Airport will qualify for Government funding under the new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030 once scheduled passenger services return, according to the Department of Transport.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien announced the publication of the five-year programme this week. The scheme will provide almost €45 million in capital investment to regional airports, including Shannon Airport, Kerry Airport, Donegal Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock.
While Waterford Airport does not currently qualify because it does not operate scheduled passenger services, the Department confirmed it expects the airport to become eligible during the lifetime of the programme once flights resume.
Cummins Welcomes “Important Clarity”
Minister of State for Planning and Local Government John Cummins welcomed the confirmation. He said the announcement provides “important clarity” that Waterford Airport will access operational funding support once it becomes fully operational again. “Although Waterford Airport is not eligible under the 2026 Programme as it does not yet have scheduled passenger services, I will ensure that funding is provided at the earliest possible opportunity as part of Budget deliberations once services are confirmed,” he said.Further Milestone Reached
Minister Cummins also confirmed progress on the airport’s wider development plans. He said Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke recently signed off on the Foreign Direct Investment screening process linked to the airport project. Cummins described the development as another significant milestone for the runway expansion plan. “This is a really exciting time for Waterford Airport,” he said, adding that he will continue working with the airport’s new owners and stakeholders to secure financial support for future route development. He also welcomed the ongoing €2 million investment in the R117 search and rescue base at the airport, which Bristow Ireland now operates on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard under contract from the Department of Transport.Opposition Response
Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane has acknowledged confirmation from the Department of Transport that Waterford Airport is expected to become eligible for capital supports once scheduled passenger services return, under the Regional Airports Programme 2026–2030.
However he said the lack of support in the past cannot be overlooked and is a stain on the Governments record towards Waterford. Deputy Cullinane said: “Any indication that Waterford Airport may be able to access Government funding at some point in the future is welcome. The South East has been treated as shabbily for far too long, and we need real, practical support that matches the ambition for this region. “But we also need to be straight with people, this ‘clarity’ is a poor substitute for the support Waterford Airport should have had all along. “Minister John Cummins is now trying to take credit, but for years he and this Government failed to properly back Waterford Airport, leaving it starved of funding and stuck in limbo.
