A review of Irish airports policy

This article looks at recent trends in Irish air transport and in particular the role and experiences of airports. It is argued that Irish airports other than Dublin operate in very competitive circumstances because of their relative proximity to each other. Dublin Airport is a natural spatial monopoly. Issues relating to the Public Service Obligation routes at the regional airports, airport charges regulations in Ireland and in the EU and the issue of ownership and private sector involvement in terminal service provision are examined. The article suggests that maximisation of accessibility to and from Ireland must be the metre against which public policy decisions are evaluated; particularly as EU transport policy over the next 10 years will seek to increase the role of rail at the expense of air transport.