Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed deep shock and disappointment at Ryanair’s decision to end its daily Dublin – Kerry service from 7th September. “This will have a significant impact on the tourism and business in Killarney and throughout the Kerry region,” said President Tom Randles. “The Government must act quickly to implement an alternative air link.”
Despite recent road infrastructure improvements, which have been greatly welcomed, the journey between Dublin and Kerry is 200 miles and can still take up to four hours each way, which is a major deterrent for visitors.
“The fact remains that we need an air link to the capital in order to sustain business and tourism in the region,” he said. “As a town and certainly as a county we have invested substantial capital in enhancing the region’s tourism and business potential in recent years, but without fast, convenient access, this will severely damage our efforts and impact negatively on the two major industries on which this county depends.
“We call on the Government to act quickly to implement an alternative air link following Ryanair’s termination of the route and we look forward to supporting the long-awaited new PSO operator into Dublin Airport.
The Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also called on Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar TD to provide an update on the tender evaluation process with regard to the new PSO contract and to confirm a date when the new PSO service will begin.
