Shannon Airport has been given access to State funding for regional airports. Photograph: Stephen O'MalleyIs State-owned Shannon Airport a regional or an international airport? On Wednesday, the Shannon Airport Group welcomed the announcement that it had been included in the Government’s new regional airports programme out to 2030. “Including Shannon Airport in the regional airports programme supports this critical national infrastructure as it continues to grow towards three million passengers,” Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said. But its designation as a regional airport jars with the airport’s traditional posture as an international gateway, on par with Dublin and Cork.

Source: The Irish Times February 28, 2026 13:31 UTC