New flight routes for Castlebridge Airport

March 1979

The move to provide Castlebridge Airport with its first scheduled flight services is proceeding, and it is hoped to have them in operation in the very near future.

Already the plan has been welcomed in Wexford, where it is expected to be a major boost to the commercial and business life of the town, as well as to the tourist industry.

Behind the venture is Genair, a Shannon-based aviation company who are working in co-operation with Mr John O’Loughlin, who established an airfield in Castlebridge in the 1960s.

Genair had hoped to start the scheduled service this month, but setbacks delayed it. Because of the telephone dispute it has been impossible to contact the company, but it is understood they are still seeking a licence from the Department of Tourism and Transport, and when this is granted, they will be ready to start operations.

The service will link Castlebridge with twelve other airport around Ireland and one overseas, and when fully operational, will involve a number of aircraft with three to four flights a week during the peak season.

Welcoming the new service, Mr Maurice Roche, President of Wexford Chamber of Commerce, said it would be of immense benefit to the business community of Wexford.

He mentioned particularly foreign industrialists in the town, who he was sure would avail of any service. Mr Roche also felt it would be used by local businessmen who wanted to cut down on travelling time, while he also considered it would help out the tourism industry in Wexford.

Mr Tom Eastwood, Wexford Tourist Officer, said that the proposed service to and from Swansea would be of particularly benefit to tourism in Wexford. He mentioned the large number of anglers who come from Britain to Wexford each year, and felt they would fly if they had the opportunity.

He also feels that the link with other small airports around the country would be a major boost for the area, and added that the new service has the potential to flourish the way Aer Arann has done.

‘We have conducted some research of our own across the area, and several of those questioned have told us they would use such flights if they are provided,’ he said. ‘We have no doubt that others would come on board too once the services are introduced and become regular.’

Mr John O’Loughlin said that he was sceptical at first that there was a demand in Wexford for such a scheduled service, but he had underestimated the demand and was now sure that seats would be occupied. He is confident that the industrialists and businessmen in the area in particularl will ensure its success.

He remarked that the response to the news that there will be a service has been favourable and he has since received a number of enquiries on the matter.

Some of the enquiries have come from travel agents in the UK, he says.