Dublin Airport Cap Removal Must Be Matched by Shannon Route Development

Dublin Airport Cap Removal Must Be Matched by Shannon Route Development

Ryan Highlights Flights Needed for Economic Development, Not Just Tourism

Fianna Fáil Senator, Dee Ryan, has called for urgent action on route development at Shannon Airport, warning that regional economic growth is being held back by severe connectivity imbalances.

Senator Ryan said the dominance of Dublin Airport in national aviation traffic highlights the scale of the challenge facing regional enterprise.

“Last year, from the statistics we have so far, 83% of all flights into Ireland landed in Dublin. That level of concentration is stark and it has real economic consequences for the regions,” she said.

She pointed to the significant underutilisation of Shannon Airport as a missed economic opportunity.

“Shannon Airport is operating around 2.5 million passengers below its annual capacity. The infrastructure exists to handle far more traffic, yet it is lying idle while Dublin operates under sustained pressure.”

Senator Ryan stressed that aviation policy must be viewed through an enterprise and regional development lens, not solely tourism.

Commenting on her submission in the Seanad, Senator Ryan said:

“How can we expect our start-ups in Limerick and the Mid West, and our established businesses, to develop, expand and reach their potential when they do not have daily business connectivity into our EU marketplace?

“Companies invest in Ireland because of our EU membership and access to the Single Market. Yet businesses in the Mid West do not have the same daily connectivity to that marketplace. It effectively leaves one hand tied behind their back.”

Referencing independent economic analysis, Senator Ryan said air connectivity is a core driver of regional growth and investment.

“Aviation connectivity is crucial for regional economic development in an island economy like Ireland. It underpins trade, foreign direct investment and enterprise expansion,” she said. copenhagen-economics_aviation-i…

She added that Shannon Airport already plays a major economic role nationally but has far greater untapped potential if capacity were fully utilised.

Senator Ryan said the Government must now match national aviation policy decisions with regional investment.

“If we continue to concentrate flights in Dublin while leaving regional capacity underused, we will deepen regional imbalance rather than correct it.”

Writing to the Minister for Transport and Minister for Enterprise. She called for coordinated action between the Departments of Transport and Enterprise, including strategic route incentives and hub connectivity expansion.

“We need a national aviation strategy that supports balanced regional growth,” she said.

“Shannon Airport route development must be treated as an economic priority, not an afterthought.”

ENDS