Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a member of the EU Transport Committee, has welcomed the interest that Ryanair CEO, Michael O’ Leary has in operating two new flights between Waterford airport and London at the Ryanair quarterly press conference in the UK.
According to Ní Mhurchú,
“That would be an enormous boost for the region to be connected with a global capital such as London. I see that as an excellent start for a small regional airport like Waterford”
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú dismissed the Ryanair CEOs comments that the airport is not commercially viable as ill informed.
“Michael O’ Leary is not on the ground in Waterford and lacks any great understanding of the opportunities that are currently at Waterford airport. There are over 5,000 airlines in the world, many of whom would jump at the chance to operate flights to and from Waterford airport and we will be speaking with many of them.
Programme for Government commitment
The 2025 programme for government has expressly committed to funding Waterford airport. According to MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, it does so because there is a strong business case for the development of the airport.
Other revenue sources for Waterford airport
According to Ní Mhurchú there is potential for Waterford Airport to be the location for our National Aerospace Academy.
“The airport also has potential to become a University Airport on the basis of a draft report carried out by the engineering department of the South East Technological University which showed Waterford Airport has more than suitable air space and technologies for flight testing unmanned air vehicles, and has a suitable runway for the take off and landing of small aircraft and unmanned air vehicles. Connecting a University with an airport of this size is similar to approaches taken in Europe, for example, Hans Christen Andersen Airport and the Danish flight test facility for UAS”
Ní Mhurchú also pointed to the global rush within the aviation industry to develop more sustainable aviation fuels and how Waterford airport could act as a hub for the development and roll out of new sustainable aviation fuels.
“Ireland is home to almost 50% of the global fleet of aircraft because of our aircraft leasing industry. The European Commission has introduced legislation obliging fuel suppliers to hit new targets for the use of more sustainable fuel, commencing with a 2% target in 2025, 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. This presents a unique opportunity for small airports like Waterford to become a global leader in the research and production of sustainable aviation fuel
ENDS
