Regional Irish airports cost taxpayer EUR15 per flight

Ireland's Irish Independent newspaper announced taxpayers are subsidising passengers using Irish regional airport by an average of EUR15 per flight (Irish Independent, 11-Apr-2011). The newspaper said EUR90 million in levies has been paid to subsidies PSO routes from six regional airports in the past six years. At Sligo and Donegal, taxpayers are providing EUR69 per flight. Most PSO agreements will be terminated from Jul-2011. Since 2001, EUR131 million has been spent by Irish government on supporting Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Knock, Sligo and Waterford airports. Kerry and Donegal airports with continue to receive PSO subsidies from Jul-2011. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar stated the government expects the other regional airport to attract their own investment and new routes.