More than €84,000 allocated to Donegal Airport under airport subvention
scheme – Cope

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP has welcomed the allocation of some €84,072
in funding to Donegal Airport under the Department of Transport’s Core
Airport Management Operation Expenditure Subvention Scheme (Opex).

Under the scheme allocations are made by the Government to assist
regional airports in their operational costs.

“I am delighted that more than €84,000 was available to be allocated to
Donegal Airport to assist it through what is proving to be a difficult
time for most of the regional airports around the country.”

“Under the Subvention Scheme the Government can compensate regional
airports for any losses that are incurred in providing core airport
services which cannot be fully met by prudent commercial management or
from any surpluses generated by non core activities such as carparking
charges or catering.”

“The Scheme was established by the Government in 2006 but this is the
first year that Donegal Airport has applied to it for assistance.”

“This year a total of €2.15 million was made available by the Government
for the airports in Knock, Donegal, Sligo, Galway, and Waterford.”

“It is only natural in the current downturn that Donegal Airport and the
other airports should be experiencing some loss in business, and I know
that this funding will be of assistance at this time,” concluded Pat the
Cope.

ENDS