Government cuts jeopardise future of regional airports
Trevor Quinn
Ireland West Airport Knock’s Managing Director, Joe Gilmore, has quelled reports that the future of the airport is in jeopardy. However, he said the airport will need ‘continued financial support’ from the Government if it is to remain viable.
Reports in recent days cast serious doubt over the future of Galway, Sligo and Waterford airports, due to their continued retrospective losses. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar met with management at Galway Airport on Friday, and he informed them that there would be no reversal of the Government’s decision to cut support for the airport.
Minister Varadkar is also believed to have been in dialogue with management at Sligo Airport and Waterford Airport in recent days. The three airports will face the prospect of closure next year unless alternative funding can be found.
Ireland West Airport, Kerry Airport and Donegal Airport are deemed to be in a healthier and more secure financial position, with all three reportedly being categorised as ‘close to break-even’, an assessment that Mr Gilmore described as ‘reasonably accurate’.
Ireland West Airport and the other five regional airports are reported to have contacted the department requesting capital spending support of €4 million, double the amount that is available from the department.
Minister Varadkar said the airports at Knock, Kerry and Donegal will receive prioritised funding because they are perceived as being more viable. There are concerns over funding and promotion, however, which Managing Director Joe Gilmore says will shape the future prosperity of the airport in Knock.
Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday (Monday), Mr Gilmore stated that as well as continued financial support, the airport required further assistance from the Government in relation to marketing and promotion.
The majority of the incoming UK flights are at 66 per cent occupancy, and Mr Gilmore believes it is vital that there is a plan put in place so that this figure can be improved upon. “There needs to be more focus on bringing tourists to the West of Ireland … Increased marketing from Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland would certainly help to increase passenger numbers on our ten routes from the UK and bring in more tourists.
“I have put the challenge we face to Minister Leo Varadkar and to our own Minister Michael Ring. I believe we have to get more focused on bringing in new tourists to the region through the airport.”
Commenting on the continued uncertainty regarding the regional airports, Minister Varadkar said yesterday, “I’m looking for solutions that will provide some of this money for this year, but clearly it will not be a case of business as usual.”
The operational costs of all six regional airports is heavily dependant on the Government and further cuts to funding could lead to major difficulties in the day to day running of airports such as Ireland West Airport.
According to Mr Gilmore, the issue facing Knock airport is capital. “We are hoping to expand our external apron (ramp), and repair our runway as well as ensure our security measures are sufficient, so it’s a big challenge.”
