'The LA should not be running airports' - Waterford Council Chief Executive

One of the main takeaways from the discussion of Waterford Airport is that the deal on the table releases the Council from its obligation.

Not only does the Council own the land the airport is on, but it has put €670,000, and has been underwriting loans up to €1 million, to keep the airport afloat.

This is a most unusual situation for a local authority to be in, and one, Waterford’s Chief Executive said, needs to end.

“I believe the operation of an airport needs private investment. The local authority should not be in the business of running airports.

“I firmly believe that the drain it has been on our resources. 

"I personally don’t have any expertise in running an airport. And this is not casting aspersion on any previous councils, but the Council and all the stakeholders have been trying to grow this for the last 40 years since the lands were purchased and we have been unable to do so,” said Mr McKeown.

Cllr Joe Kelly pointed out that handing over the airport to the new company means more resources for the county.

“I don’t think we have any business being involved in airports. We have enough to be doing in the city and county with roads and housing and all the other things we should be doing and putting our money into," said Cllr Kelly.

While Cllr Damien Geoghegan said that was the only benefit to the Council of this deal, Cllr Kate O’Mahoney said the deal was “a lifeline.”

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)