Transport Committee MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, has called for Shannon Airport to be given regular exchequer funding and will raise the issue with her colleague, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien.
Ní Mhurchú cited a recent Airports Council International (ACI) report warning that European airports face a €360 billion infrastructure investment gap by 2040, as rising costs, decarbonisation requirements and slower passenger growth are hurting our mid-sized European airports.
Ní Mhurchú described it as vital to the economic prospects of the wider South West, particularly Limerick and Clare, that we invest in an ongoing basis in Shannon airport.
Shannon airport was granted temporary access to the Regional Airports Programme during the Covid-19 pandemic, but is not currently eligible for ongoing exchequer funding. Ní Mhurchú has pointed out that a European Commission state-aid exemption allows capital funding for airports handling fewer than three million passengers until April 4th, 2027, giving Government a limited window to invest significantly in Shannon while remaining within EU rules. The clock is ticking and action is needed now according to the Ireland South MEP.
Ní Mhurchú also urged the European Commission to introduce a clear and consistent airport security policy across all EU airports. At the moment, Shannon Airport uses advanced C3 X-ray scanners. These scanners mean passengers should not need to remove electronics or liquids from their cabin bags, and can carry liquids of up to two litres in total. In July 2025, this technology was approved at EU level, which removed the old 100ml liquid limit and allowed the two-litre allowance instead.
However, the approval was based on tests using only one type of security tray. Airports like Shannon that use different types of trays are still waiting for their systems to be fully approved by regulators – a process Ní Mhurchú described as infuriating red tape for passengers at Shannon who find themselves rummaging in their bags for liquids – when they shouldn’t have to.
She said Europe and Ireland risks falling behind major global aviation hubs such as Doha and Istanbul, which continue to invest heavily in technology and passenger facilities in their airports. According to Ní Mhurchú, many European airports have become stressful places with long queues in summer, differing security rules, passport kiosks that often don’t work and an overall passenger experience that could be a lot better.
“If we want airports that are efficient, competitive and passenger-friendly, we have to invest,” Ní Mhurchú said.
“Airports, such as Shannon, are dealing with rising operating costs, environmental obligations and static or declining funding. Without action, the quality of service and our international competitiveness will suffer.”
Ní Mhurchú has called for a Europe-wide airport investment programme to be included in the forthcoming EU Aviation Strategy, along with harmonised security rules to ensure consistent procedures for passengers across all EU airports.
She echoed the view of experts in aviation that Europe’s airports could lose up to €75 billion in earnings over the next two decades, threatening their role as critical infrastructure supporting tourism, trade and regional development.