MEP angles for Waterford Airport to become the drone technology centre of Europe
Waterford Airport formally announced a strategic partnership with SETU to develop a National Aerospace Academy in April 2025. Photo: Joe Evans
Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú called for Waterford Airport to take lead as a European centre for cutting-edge drone technology.
“Drones are no longer niche tools but vital technologies,” Ms Ní Mhurchú said while speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“Yes, they play a vital role in military defence, but they are equally essential in search and rescue missions, policing our coastlines against drug and human trafficking, for mapping and agriculture.”
Ms Ní Mhurchú referenced drone advancements in other regional Irish airports. ICP Newtech produces firefighting and bomb disposal drones in Cork, while A-Tech SYN in Shannon develops mapping and surveillance technology.
“Our regional airports, especially Waterford Airport, are uniquely positioned to partner with our technological universities such as SETU in Ireland South to drive research and development.”
Research into drones and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) is a key tenet of the partnership between SETU and Waterford Airport in developing a National Aerospace Academy.
In a report commissioned by SETU and Waterford Airport, the National Aerospace Academy and Innovation cited the drone cargo delivery services as a potential industry the Academy could support.
The Pipistrel Nuuva V300 was highlighted as an industry leader- the drone is an unmanned, electric-hybrid cargo aircraft that can carry 600-pound payloads over 300 nautical miles.
The report also referenced the possibility of an air taxi service, an electric regional airliner and electric aircraft leasing.
The report said drones in the airport could be used to assess wind patterns, monitor the environmental impact of nearby wind turbine farms and assess the condition of turbine blades.
