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The latest decision by Ryanair to withdraw its services from regional airports for a period from November to mid-December is a commercial one and it is understood to be part of a wider move by the company to cut its capacity right across Europe over the winter season. This development is not entirely unexpected, given the low booking rates to the end of this year.

There is no doubt that the challenges being faced by airlines and the aviation industry as a whole are immense and the Irish Government remains committed to the survival and recovery of this sector when appropriate. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a comprehensive suite of generalised supports for all companies have been put in place. These include wage subsidy schemes, grants, low-cost loans, waiver of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. Ireland’s airports and airlines will continue to receive the wide range of supports available through these measures.

As already indicated, the Government is currently seeking to strike an appropriate balance between protecting public health and allowing air travel to take place. It is aligning with the European “traffic light” system in relation to green, orange and red regions and will announce additional measures relating to testing when the operational arrangements are finalised in the coming weeks. With Ireland currently at level 5 of the Living with Covid Plan, it is has been made clear that there should be no non- essential travel of any kind within or outside of Ireland. The focus is on fighting the virus, and any arriving passengers must comply with Level 5 public health measures.

It is acknowledged that this does have negative implications for all aviation stakeholders and notably the airports and airlines. In Budget 2021 the Government made provision for €10m for Cork and Shannon airports while confirming a commitment of €21m to the continuation of the Regional Airports Programme to support Knock, Kerry and Donegal airports.

In addition, in the context of the forthcoming National economic Plan, the Government will consider further measures to support the industry to ensure that the core capability of the industry is preserved so that it can recover quickly to support the wider economic recovery when circumstances allow.