A Dublin-based Professor of Economics believes Ireland's airports are not in the right places and are therefore not "economically viable."
DCU's Professor Edgar Morgenroth spoke on Newstalk Breakfast, where he claimed that Ireland's regional airports are all competing with one another.
He said that Donegal Airport in his view has "very few services" and "doesn't have much connectivity." He stated that Kerry Airport is more viable due to some commercial flights.
READ MORE - Man in his 40s dies in horror Mayo crash overnight
"Waterford is maybe less so, while Galway is gone for good reasons, as it was sandwiched between Knock and Shannon Airport," he added.
"What we have is possibly airports in slightly the wrong places," he explained. "You've got Dublin on the east coast and you actually have all the regional airports on the west or south.
"To a degree, they're all competing with each other - except for Dublin, who dominates a very large space. Consequently, their scale is sort of limited.
"Dublin has dominated so much that there isn't any scope anymore - but if you started with a blank sheet, you might spread them around a little bit differently."
Padraig Ó Ceide, Founder of Aer Lingus Regional and previously Chairperson with Shannon Airport Group, joined the discussion, saying that there were a number of factors to consider.
He stressed that the majority of passengers (90 per cent) arriving into the country are coming through Dublin Airport.
He said that there was a "strategic problem" in that in 2019, 33 million passengers arrived through Dublin, while only 3 million arrived through the other airports combined.
Mr Ó Ceide said that the purpose of all these regional airports must be questioned.
"Cork is the second biggest city in Ireland. There is in my view a need for an airport in Cork. You have the innovation, tourism and industry," he added.
He told presenter Shane Coleman that Donegal people have to drive more than five hours to get to Dublin Airport.
"If you look at Kerry, I do think Kerry is fit for purpose, you do have some international flights like Ryanair coming in and out.
"I think regional airports are critical to regional economics," Mr Ó Ceide concluded.
READ NEXT:
Horror on motorway as Today FM presenter exposed to 'six willies' during trip
Boxers form guard of honour at funeral of youngest Galway pier tragedy victim
Irish Ryanair passengers warned to expect 'disruption' as airport workers strike
Exact date brutal Arctic blast could freeze Ireland after warmest day of year
'The Monk met IRA men out of fear for his family' - Rowan on secret meetings
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
