Ireland West Airport welcomes €5m funding for safety and security related projects

Ireland West Airport welcomed the announcement of funding today  of €5,000,541 towards capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.

The funding is provided to support critical Safety and Security Projects under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. 

The Programme will support major safety and security related projects this year such as:

• Upgrade of the Airports Electrical Infrastructure across the entire airport facility
• Runway End Safety Area works
• New Fire Tender Vehicle
• Baggage X-Ray & Security Screening Systems
• Installation of new state of the art Central Search Security Equipment

The announcement was made today by Minister for State with special responsibility for aviation, Minister Jack Chambers T.D. as part of a €17m investment in capital projects for regional airports in Ireland.

In addition to the exchequer funding announced, the airport will invest over €1 million to support the completion of these projects.

One of the key projects in the next phase of security related works, as part of this programme, will be the installation of a new state of the art passenger security screening system later this year. 

The new security screening system will allow passengers to keep their liquids and electronic devices in their baggage.

Implementing this new technology means that the 100ml restriction on liquids whilst passing through security will be lifted also. 

When completed, the airport will have the latest security technology installed, reducing security screening times and further enhancing the passenger experience when using the airport.

These critical safety and security projects are in addition to works already completed over the winter period, which included the resurfacing and upgrading of parts of the airport car park to provide further capacity and improve the experience for customers using our car parks.

In addition, upgrade and essential maintenance works are almost complete for the airports upstairs Sláinte Restaurant which plans to reopen before June.

Arthur French, Chairman, Ireland West Airport said, "The introduction of the new state of the art security screening system later this year will make the experience for passengers using the airport an even quicker and more seamless one and we expect this will be received with great enthusiasm and delight by passengers."

Local Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan welcomed the allocation, stating it was good news on top of the recent commencement of direct flights to Heathrow that began last week.

“Ireland West Airport is one of the best assets we have as a region with commuting times of an hour or less from many parts of Roscommon, Sligo, and South Leitrim.

“Access to many regions across the UK and Europe facilitates tourists visiting many parts of my constituency for short and medium breaks.

“Knock and Ireland West is a stress-free zone allowing people to avoid the hustle and bustle of larger airports like Dublin," he said.