Waterford Airport moves closer to take-off as US oil billionaire Kelcy Warren gains FDI approval
Waterford Airport/Investor Kelcy Warren. No commercial flights have flown from the airport since VLM Airlines withdrew in 2016. Photo: Joe Evans
The revival of Waterford Airport has drawn closer as the airport’s €30 million investor, US oil billionaire Kelcy Warren, has passed a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening process.
The advancement opens the door for construction works that will see the runway doubled in length and width in hopes of courting commercial flights back to Waterford Airport.
Mr Warren began the FDI screening process around mid-December. The screening process aims to "investigate, authorise, condition, or prohibit foreign direct investments" based on a range of security and public order criteria.
It’s understood that the board of Waterford Airport will meet in the coming days and schedule an Emergency General Meeting (EGM).
The EGM will see the transfer of assets from Waterford Regional Airport Plc to Waterford Airport Ltd finalised. The new company is set to be controlled under the guise of Mr Warren.
The shareholders of Waterford Regional Airport Plc agreed to transfer the assets of the company at a previous EGM on December 8, 2025.
William Bolster is currently listed as the sole director of Waterford Airport Ltd, but Mr Warren is expected to assume control as work begins on the runway’s construction.
Mr Bolster previously told the that the runway’s extension is expected to begin in 2026 Q1.
Summer 2027 has been touted as a possible window for the return of commercial flights.
