Donegal airport, which is used as a hub to transport people working on the Corrib gas field to the rig, expects to benefit to the tune of €50,000 a month from the drilling activities off the Mayo coast.

According to airport managing director Anne Bonner, the benefits to the local economy, and in particular the airport, from the offshore drilling is vast.

"It has provided a great boost for us and other local businesses," she said, adding that during the drilling months - last year there were five and this year is expected to be the same - the airport gains about €22,000 a month in additional revenue and €28,000 a month worth of additional fuel sales.

"There is also a boost to the broader local economy in the increased use of taxis, buses and hotels," said Ms Bonner.

During the drilling period, the airport caters for an additional 1,000 passengers a month, with 64 aircraft and helicopter movements, including four flights a week from Aberdeen, carrying rig workers who fly into the airport on a chartered flight and then pick up a helicopter to take them the 83km out to the rig.

Throughout the whole year, the airport carries about 60,000 passengers.

Questions have been raised about why Donegal airport is used by the rig workers instead of Knock, which would in fact be closer to the gas field, but Ms Bonner is quick to defend the decision, saying that not only did Donegal campaign hard for the business, but that it is also a midpoint between Aberdeen (where the majority of the rig workers come from) and Corrib.

Moreover, many of the airport's 30 staff are trained specifically in helicopter-related survival skills and the passing on of this knowledge to anyone destined for the rig is part of the service offered by the airport.

According to the latest set of accounts filed with the Companies Office, Donegal airport, which trades as Aerphort Idirnaisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teoranta, had an implied profit of €214,645 in the year to the end of April 2006.

In addition, it is estimated that the port of Killybegs in southwest Donegal will probably see its income rise by about €50 million this year as a result of the oil and gas activities off the Irish coast.

The harbour acts as a hub for the vessels that support the rig, transporting both supplies such as food, water and fuel, as well as mud for drilling. Other vessels are also supporting other exploration activities in the area.