Ms Ní Mhurchú raised the issue after meeting with representatives from Airports Council International (ACI), who presented a report warning that European airports could face a €360 billion infrastructure investment shortfall by 2040.
The report highlights how rising costs, decarbonisation demands, and slower passenger growth are placing significant financial strain on airports across Europe.
She described Kerry Airport as vital to the economic prospects of the wider southwest, particularly for Kerry, Limerick, Cork and Clare as its flight destinations support compliment the routes provided by both larger airports in Shannon and Cork.
While welcoming the funding Kerry Airport receives under the Regional Airports Programme (RAP), Ms Ní Mhurchú raised concerns about this model of funding stateing its support is limited to airports handling fewer than one million passengers.
She warned that this creates a ‘cliff edge’ loss of funding once that threshold is crossed, which, she stated, can discourage the ambition to grow above one million passengers.
Moreover, while RAP funding is vital for safety, security, and sustainability projects, she insists it is often restricted to specific themes, limiting how the airport can utilize the money.
“The programme’s focus on these areas also constrains Kerry Airport’s ability to invest in revenue-generating projects that could strengthen its long-term viability,” Ms Ní Mhurchú stated.
Kerry Airport has received approximately €26 million in RAP funding between 2013 and 2025. The airport also received €1.813 million in capital funding in 2025.
Ní Mhurchú echoed the view of EU 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.
Separately, Ní Mhurchú has also urged the European Commission to introduce a clear, consistent airport security policy across the EU.
She explained that some airports utilize advanced C3 X-ray scanners, which reshift the necessary to take electronics and liquids out of cabin bags, and have the capability to screen liquids up to two litres.
This technology was approved at EU level in July 2025, creating it simpler for travelling passengers who no longer had to separate out liquids and could leave them in their bags.
“However, the approval was based on tests utilizing only one type of security tray. Airports utilizing different tray types are still awaiting individual regulatory approval on an airport-by-airport basis, a process that is time-consuming,” Ms Ní Mhurchú stated.
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