Decision by Waterford Airport shareholders could prove monumental for region

A decision was made in Waterford on Monday, April 20, that could have a profound effect on the entire South East region.

The shareholders of Waterford Regional Airport Plc voted overwhelmingly in favour of liquidating the company.

While, ordinarily the liquidation of any company wouldn't necessarily be viewed as a positive thing.

However, in this instance that is very much the case as the decision was the effective stamp on the transition of the airport into private hands.

The decision was made at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Waterford Regional Airport Plc in the Tower Hotel and to read a full and comprehensive report on the meeting, by journalist, Alex Cunningham, click here.

It's well-known that American oil billionaire, Kelcy Warren is the man behind Waterford Airport Ltd - the company that will now control and develop the airport.

It's hard to measure the significance of yesterday's meeting in the Tower Hotel in real terms but what is without question is the future of the airport and how it's developed going forward could have a profound effect on the region.

It's understood work on the grounds surrounding the airport have already begun and when work begins on the planned €30 million development and extension of the airport's runway all eyes will be on the South East.

The overall aim of attracting investment and enhancing the tourism potential of not just Waterford, but the entire South East, to maximum effect is very much reliant on the airport being able to facilitate larger aircraft.

That was something highlighted to members of Waterford City and County Council during a recent visit to Boston.

A delegation from the local authority, attending the St Patrick's Day celebrations in the US city, included Mayor of Waterford City & County, Councillor Seamus Ryan, Councillor Joe Kelly and Waterford City & County CEO, Sean McKeown and Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Adam Wyse.

Mr McKeown said, in the wake of the trip, that the airport will be key to future investment in Waterford.

It was acknowledged that the opening of an expanded airport could be one of the main keys to unlocking the potential of the county and it's access to the wider region.

During the trip IDA representatives told the Waterford delegation that the airport will play a big part in its promotion of the Déise county and the South East region.

That's what makes yesterday's decision so important for the county.

It paves the way for what could prove to be a very positive future not just for the airport but for the entire county.

It also came in the wake of the recent launch of Bristow Ireland taking over the running of the Coast Guard helicopter base at the airport which is another positive move for the region. For a time there were serious concerns that Waterford might lose the Search & Rescue base of operations.

However, now there are many reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the future of the county and region and yesterday's decision is a major cause of that.