Regional airports Donegal, Kerry, Knock and Waterford could receive up to €42.5 million in State handouts over the next four years under two aid schemes.

The EU Commission has approved the Government's regional airports' programme following more than a year of talks, according to the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe.

The commission’s decision allows the State to give cash to the Republic’s four regional airports, Donegal, Kerry, Knock and Waterford, under two schemes, one to fund running costs and the other to cover capital spending.

Mr Donohoe said the approval allows the Government to give the airports up to a total of €42.5 million between now and 2019 under both schemes.

“The level of funding provided in each year of the programme will be determined on the basis of submissions from the airports, including five-year business plans, and the availability of Exchequer resources in any one year.”

Non-economic

The airports will also receive grants to cover the cost of fire fighting teams, air traffic control and security. As the EU classes these activities as “non-economic”, state aid rules do not cover them.

Under EU rules regional airports will not qualify for aid to cover running costs after 2024, which means they have nine years to become self-sufficient.

Last year regional airports received almost €13 million from the taxpayer to cover capital spending on their facilities, running costs and the public service obligation, which subvents flights between Dublin and Kerry and Donegal.