Concern that new government plan could close Donegal Airport

There are fears that Donegal Airport could face closure under Government plans to stop funding it in its capital spending programme for the next five years.
It along with airports at Galway, Kerry and knock are subsidised by the government as they are not profit making.
Under the revised 39 billion plans for the country’s infrastructure, the Government dropped a number of ambitious transport
However contained with in the document the Government said it will “reconsider the policy” of providing financial assistance to help the country’s regional airports.
The €2 million operational grant for six airports along the west coast, including Donegal, is up for renewal at the end of this year.
The state also provides €15m a year to regional airports through what it calls Public Service Obligation routes, mostly operated by Aer Arann.
The ending of the PSO routes was recommended by Bord Snip last July and Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said in February last year the subsidies could “no longer be justified”.

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