The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Air Kerry’ to take off with Kerry to Dublin service
June 1992
KERRY is to get its first county-based air service this month when an inaugural early morning flight from Farranfore to Dublin takes off.
The new single service airline has no name, but it has already been dubbed “Air Kerry” by businessmen who have taken block, bookings on the route.
The new service is being; provided by Kerry Airport plc in a effort to fill what they regard as a void in the market.
Airport manager Peter Moore, said that they already have guarantees of a take-up of four seats per day on the 10-seater twin- engined aircraft which will provided the daily service.
The new service is being provided by the airport and they hope to break even on it.
“This is a service which a lot of business people told us was necessary and which the board felt was needed, so we set about, putting it in place,” explained Mr Moore.
The new service will depart from Kerry airport at 7.30am, on each weekday and will return from Dublin each weekday at 6.30pm.
The flight will take just one hour each way and will cost £59 for a single fare and £99 return.
This compares with Aer Lingus’ single fare of £61 and return of £122.
Mr Moore said they hope that, by providing the service they will establish that a market exists for early morning flights out of Kerry.
“Once it is established that ‘this is a viable route, we would love to see some one take it up on a commercial basis, preferably Aer Lingus. We are after all in the business of running an airport, not an airline,” he said.
Mr Moore said the airport is committed to operate “Air Kerry” for a trial period providing there is a positive reaction from those people who have regarded this as an essential extension to the airport services.
Intending passengers have to book directly with Kerry airport on 066-64644 as there is no travel agent facility to book seats at, present.
At the moment, Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights out of Kerry Airport, are operating at between 70pc and 80pc seat, occupancy rates, while their is a consistent turnover of smaller private aircraft.
In fact, over 40 separate planes, from 18-seater jets to two-seater planes, used Kerry Airport during the Carrolls Irish Open in Killarney.
Kerry Airport is in fact slowly enticing air charter companies to use Kerry as a destination, and already there is a ‘twice weekly service from Britain ferrying golfers to Kerry to play on SWING courses.