Airport boss predicts 250,000 passengers

ARCHIVES 1989

KERRY COULD be in line for a tourist boom in the region of one million extra bednights a year, if Kerry County Airport reaches the passenger targets its directors now feel possible, Airport Chairman Bryan Cunningham said this week.

The provision of an international airport at Farranfore is just the beginning of what is going to happen, Mr. Cunningham announced at the official opening of the airport on Sunday.

“Transport and Tourism Minister John Wilson was not exaggerating a few months ago when he said that the airport would have far-reaching consequences for the development of Kerry and the whole south-west region,” he said.

He said that instead of a target of 60,000 passengers a year, the airport directors were now hoping to see 250,000 passengers pass through Farranfore annually.

He paid tribute to the significant role County Manager Tom Collins played in overseeing the development.

He pulled the levers which helped Sean Clifford's Keel Construction extend the runway and terminal building in just 14 weeks, he said.

He praised Kerry Group Managing Director Denis Brosnan for his success in spearheading the £1.6 million share floatation.

“This was a staggering vote of confidence in the airport project,” he said. “The share capital came from Kerry people everywhere, about a fifth of it from Kerry emigrants in England,”

He told Mr. Haughey the directors were confident of the support of his Government when they put before him plans for further expansion of the facility.

Looking back over the airport's 20 years he added: “I have to pay special tribute to two sons of the parish - John OSullivan and Matt Horgan. Their commitment to this place and their dedication and enthusiasm can be known only to those who have been associated with the airport for some years.”