Bigger planes, a potential opening date and some savings made: an update on Waterford Airport
A local representative believes commercial flights will be flying out of the airport very soon.
The last plane to fly out of Waterford Airport would have been small enough. The types of planes flying in and out of the regional airport would have been approximately 60 to 90-seaters – regional aircraft, some of which even had exposed propellers.
Now, as with most things, airplanes are getting bigger.
It is understood that the planes planned for Waterford Airport will be the likes of Boeing 737’s, 180-seater planes, which will triple the amount of passengers that can fly in and out of the South East region.
The R708 road runs just beside Waterford Airport, and it needs to be lowered by one metre over a 600-metre stretch. Because the planes will be bigger, the road needs to be lower to comply with regulations. When the planes fly over the road, because they will be so close to the airport, their "landing gear" will be out and there needs to be a certain gap between the plane and the road.
Lowering a road by one metre is an expensive task - €800,000 expensive. The investor of Waterford Airport, Kelcey Warren, has agreed to pay half of this cost.
According to local Independent Councillor Declan Barry, Waterford City and County Council will pay €200,000 and our South East cousins, Wexford and Kilkenny County Councils will pay €100,000 each.
Councillor Declan Barry spoke to the Waterford News & Star about this good news. “It's great to see these local authorities working together because now it's not an airport for Waterford alone, it's an airport for the South East.”
He continued: “All the people living in the South East will benefit from this project going ahead.”
Cllr Barry said he believes “we should be in the air by the beginning of July next year”.
Cllr Barry also said he hopes the savings made by Waterford Council on this project, “will be put into other road repairs and footpaths.”
He concluded that this is a “good news story” for taxpayers in Waterford.
When asked to comment on this, a spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council said: “The Capital Plan is scheduled for discussion by the Elected Members at the next Plenary Council meeting on Thursday, July 9.
“Among the projects within the plan is the proposed realignment of the R708.
“Waterford City and County Council will issue a statement following the conclusion of the meeting.”
