Regional Airports in Peripheral Locations Sustainability and Functionality

Key Drivers in Regional Airport Growth Low cost flights Low cost flights Increased personal mobility Increased personal mobility Demand for equality of access Demand for equality of access Balanced regional development agenda – encouraging air access growth into peripheral regions for tourism and economic reasons. Balanced regional development agenda – encouraging air access growth into peripheral regions for tourism and economic reasons.

Issues Volatility in airline route selection and in the industry generally Volatility in airline route selection and in the industry generally Lack of complementarity and co-operation amongst regional airports Lack of complementarity and co-operation amongst regional airports Regional airports often not part of joined up transportation infrastructure planning Regional airports often not part of joined up transportation infrastructure planning Increased pollution impacting on the environment in ‘low foot print’ areas Increased pollution impacting on the environment in ‘low foot print’ areas

Need for the Project Establish development plans for air access based on sustainable principles Establish development plans for air access based on sustainable principles Maximise tourism and economic potential in peripheral regions Maximise tourism and economic potential in peripheral regions Ensure complementarity between airports in route development Ensure complementarity between airports in route development Identify best practice in regional airport management in peripheral locations Identify best practice in regional airport management in peripheral locations Identify ways to address environmental impacts of increase air transport Identify ways to address environmental impacts of increase air transport Pursue an integrated approach re. air access points ‘gateways’ and transportation corridors Pursue an integrated approach re. air access points ‘gateways’ and transportation corridors

Project Components 1. Exploring future trends in air access 2. The spatial rationale for air access and complementarity of regional air access to transportation infrastructure 3. The contribution to tourism and economic growth 4. Addressing the negative environmental challenges of air travel growth

Project Delivery Establish working group define specific terms of reference for four project components Establish working group define specific terms of reference for four project components Research elements tendered out (eg. market trends, environmental solutions) Research elements tendered out (eg. market trends, environmental solutions) Workshop sessions to examine results of research and identify ways forward Workshop sessions to examine results of research and identify ways forward Identification of pilot projects Identification of pilot projects Delivery of pilot projects Delivery of pilot projects

Potential Partners Ireland, Sligo, Donegal, City of Derry, Knock Ireland, Sligo, Donegal, City of Derry, Knock Any other comparable airports servicing rural and peripheral locations in Northern Periphery Programme area. Any other comparable airports servicing rural and peripheral locations in Northern Periphery Programme area.

Kate Burns