Calls for new airport in South East region fails to get off the ground
A call for councillors to advance a plan for a new airport in the region to replace Waterford Airport was not supported.
Cllr Martin Murphy told a joint meeting of New Ross and Piltown municipal districts: ‘I believe the districts should get together with a view to examining the possibility of locating at site for an airport in the south east region. We have seen what has gone on at Waterford Airport for the last 25 years. It seems to me that Waterford Airport is a failed entity,’ he said.
Cllr Murphy said with 500,000 people in the region there is a natural hinterland for an airport. ‘Admitting that it would be a huge, costly project, he said a proposal was put before Wexford County Council several years ago about an airport in north Wexford.
‘ They had an anchor tenant and I know they have tried a lot in Waterford and I am sure they are still trying and our CEO Tom Enright, who is part of the Waterford Airport board, is a brilliant, forward thinking man. A university is very important, but I believe we should look at targeting a site somewhere in south Kilkenny as there are half a million people plus in the region and we are all aware now of the importance of an airport.’
Cllr Melissa O’Neill said until such time as Waterford Airport’s runway is extended it cannot grow. She said: ‘We really need to all come together as a region and we have been asking for funding.’
‘ The airport is a failed entity,’ he insisted, adding that an airport located more centrally in the heart of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford and south Tipperary is an idea worth looking at.
Cllr Pat Dunphy said there is frustration about Waterford Airport as it gets up and running and then the airline closes again.
‘ The fares were not right. It’s the fact that its expensive. Waterford has 50,000 people to 80,000 in the greater city area. It would cost a huge amount of money to set up a new one.’
He said with a bigger runway more airlines would be attracted to flying from the airport and staying in the region.
Cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming said Waterford Airport has never progressed over the years.
Cllr Michael Sheehan said the municipal councils should be adamant that the airport should not only be used as a pilot training airport or as an aeronautic research airport.
Cllr Dunphy said: ‘Kerry is a rural area and it’s flying and it is close to Cork.’
Cllr Michael Whelan said: ‘It’s the size of the runway,’ while Cllr O’Neill said as the region’s gateway city Waterford will get the money.