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Connaught Airport Development Company

CADCO

Ireland West Airport’s mission is to strive to be the benchmark for progressive and modern regional airports, serving our communities and facilitating passenger travel.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Amendment of the Aviation Guidelines with respect to the specific provisions on operating aid to airports

18 Jul 2022

Following two years of the devastating impact caused by COVID-19 and with additional uncertainties caused by the ongoing situation in Ukraine coupled with increasing oil prices, Ireland West Airport seeks a prolongation of the transition period for operating aid beyond 2024 which is justified, as both the Commission and ACI EUROPE studies find that many airports up to 1 million passengers per annum will continue to need operating aid beyond 2024. The duration of a prolongation must reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in 2020 with a recovery lasting until 2024, so covering almost four years. If the current position remains with the transitional period expiring in 2025, this could have devastating consequences for connectivity in the EU. To address this situation, it is of critical importance that the transitional period is extended indefinitely as outlined above to enable airports to position themselves for recovery post COVID-19. Therefore, Ireland West Airport believe that the prolongation of the transition period for operating aid beyond 2024 is justified, as both the EU Commission and ACI EUROPE studies find that many airports up to 1 mppa will continue to ned operating aid beyond 2024. This was already the situation before the pandemic. This situation has been further compounded now by the war in Ukraine, continued high level of volatility in the global geopolitical situation and escalating crisis in energy costs. In addition to this the further challenge and associated costs for regional airports to achieve net zero carbon and overall sustainability targets as set by the EU to reduce net emissions with the aim of becoming the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Detailed goals and milestones are laid down in the first ever European Climate Law and in the ‘Fit for 55’ package, setting out an initial target of reduction in emissions by 55% in 2030 (compared with the level of 1990).
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