Shannon Airport has been awarded €1.93 million in capital funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030, supporting continued investment in essential safety and security infrastructure at the facility.

According to the Irish Independent, the allocation forms part of the 2026 Capital Funding Allocation under a programme recently expanded to include airports handling up to three million passengers annually, bringing Shannon Airport within its scope for the first time.

The funding represents the first year of a five-year regional airports investment programme and is intended to maintain and strengthen the safety and security infrastructure required to support ongoing airport operations.

"This funding will support continued investment in essential airport safety and security infrastructure," said Ray O'Driscoll, chief executive of the Shannon Airport Group.

The expansion of the programme's eligibility criteria to cover airports of Shannon's scale reflects a broader shift aimed at ensuring regional aviation infrastructure across Ireland meets the investment requirements necessary for operational compliance and long-term growth.

Shannon Airport serves as a key gateway for transatlantic and European routes and plays a significant role in supporting regional connectivity across the mid-west of Ireland. The airport handled approximately 1.8 million passengers in 2024, according to the Irish Aviation Authority.

The 2026 allocation positions the airport to address near-term infrastructure requirements while laying the groundwork for further capital investment across the remaining years of the programme to 2030.

Safety and security infrastructure investment at regional airports has become an increasing priority across Europe, with operators required to meet evolving EU regulatory standards covering airside operations, passenger screening and ground safety.

Find out more about Shannon Airport's capital investment plans in the full article.