'Not the first time I was called a lunatic' - Waterford Airport chief investor on O'Leary comments

The chief investor in Waterford Airport has responded humorously to Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary's comments describing those championing infrastructural investment as "local lunatics". The airport and local authorities are seeking a public investment of €12 million to make the airport's runway suitable to receive jet airplanes.

Speaking at the airline's quarterly press conference televised by Sky News, O'Leary said: "There's a bunch of local lunatics there who are determined to get a government grant to build a jet runway." He had been asked if Ryanair would be returning to the regional airport to celebrate its "40th anniversary" of flights - Ryanair's first flight flew from Waterford to London Gatwick in July, 1985.

O'Leary continued saying that Waterford is within the "catchment" of Dublin Airport, saying he felt the airport "has no commercial or economic future, but we wish them well".

In a statement to Waterford News & Star, William Bolster, board director and the single largest shareholder of Waterford Airport, said it was "not the first time I was called a lunatic".

"While it would not be the first time I was called a lunatic and many would agree with Michael, I look forward to engaging with Ryanair and the management team on the possibilities for Waterford Airport, and I hope to explore all options with the various European low-cost airlines in due course."

The Waterford businessman said his "main focus, for now, is to provide and deliver the runway and related infrastructure to allow all airlines have the option to look at Waterford as a well-located, strategic option for air travel in and out of our island nation."

Mr Bolster said that the development into Waterford Airport would represent "a massive boost for business and tourism in the south east region."

"The recent public support, which was reflected in both the local and national elections, where Waterford Airport was the number one issue in the region, solidifies the need for such an important project."

Speaking to Waterford News & Star, Ray Griffin, senior lecturer at South East Technological University and co-author of the South East Economic Monitor, said the development of Waterford Airport was the single most important project to the South East that Waterford’s new government representatives could work on.

“The airport is worth approximately €1 billion to the regional economy when fully completed. Those are the kind of numbers that the other regional airports, that one would envisage to be ultimately smaller than Waterford, in Knock and Kerry are yielding to their regions. 

"So, the €12 million [needed for the project] is chump change given what it would unlock regionally.”