Darragh's Soapbox: Will Waterford get an airport?

Last Wednesday, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien met with a number of stakeholders to discuss the future of Waterford Airport.

It is understood that from this meeting an additional business case was sought by the Minister for the proposed runway extension at Waterford Airport.

There is perhaps a growing uncertainty of whether or not the long-awaited reopening of the airport will actually happen.

We asked locals this week what they believe Waterford's chances are as it stands.

Tony Browne said he still has hope for an airport.

“I do think it will happen but I don’t know when. 

"There's too much rigmarole. We should have had it long ago. We have four TDs now and they’re all for an airport so what’s the hold-up? I don’t know. They’re working hard on it I think but the people in Dublin just don't want to know about it is my opinion.

"It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. If Kerry has one and Knock has one, I don’t see why Waterford doesn’t have one.

"It would be so handy here for the whole South East, not just Waterford."

Phyllis Winter and John Flavin added,  "We hope so. It's scandalous I think that we don’t have one yet.

"The best place to put an airport is off the sea where you don’t disturb anybody. In Dublin they’re having fierce problems flying over the city and they can only operate for so long each day. So I think an airport in Waterford would be ideal."

Helen Croke said she now feels the hopes for an airport in Waterford are diminishing. 

 “I'd love it, but from what we heard this morning again on the radio the answer is no, I don’t think we’ll get one. 

"Absolutely, I'd love one, it's needed badly. But we're left behind again, as always."