Kerry Airport is optimistic about its prospects for 2026 but warns of challenges including aircraft availability.
The facility says for 2025, annual passenger numbers are on course to exceed 430,000 for the first time.
According to the airport, it contributes more than €18 million annually to the county’s economy and supports over 135 direct jobs.
Kerry Airport’s chief financial officer Basil Sheerin says it won’t be until 2026 that the benefits of the new arrivals hall and extended departures area will be fully evident.
Mr Sheerin is confident that these enhancements will encourage increased passenger spend at the airport’s gift shop, catering and duty free.
By the end of next March, the airport says it will be handling 59 flights per week from Dublin, the UK and Germany.
Basil Sheerin says the main challenges will continue to be attracting new airlines and routes.
He says a lack of aircraft availability is still a problem for airlines and the expansion of fleets is considerably behind forecasts.
Mr Sheerin says administrative expenses remain a challenge with increased costs in wages, local authority rates, energy, and maintenance – areas of cost that the facility continues to monitor.
