Junior Transport Minister James Lawless has said there are “a number of weaknesses in the development proposal” for Waterford Airport and has called for “a stronger projection of demand” from the airport’s management.
Management is seeking State support for the expansion of Waterford Airport – including a longer runway allowing for larger planes to operate.
However, Minister Lawless said there is no proof of demand for a larger airport at Waterford, with “no commitment I have seen that any airline is ready to take up. I have not seen any projected demand that stacks up”.
“Building a runway in itself is not an end goal; flying planes from it successfully for a number of years is,” Minister Lawless said.
“I would like to see a stronger projection of demand in the area. If it can be strengthened, I am open to revisions of it and examining it further. I said there was no impediment whatsoever to the project proceeding as a private enterprise, should it wish. The State is being asked, however, to contribute.”
All that said, Minister Lawless said he understands the importance of connectivity to the south-east and is considering the Waterford Airport proposal in that context.
“It is Government policy to spread growth across the regions and expanding air connections and developing the regional airports is a key part of this programme…I want to give this project the best possible chance of success,” he said.
The Minister said a business case for Waterford Airport’s expansion was submitted to his Department in late 2023. This followed an approval in principle in 2019 which was dependent on further information, however the expected proposal did not follow until last December 2023 with further requested data only being submitted by the airport as recently as July 2024.
Minister Lawless said: “Under the public spending code, the project can only be assessed under the business case already presented, and unfortunately, some key points now being argued are simply not contained within the business case.”
He added: “I am a big supporter of the regional airports and wish to grow aviation beyond Dublin. As I have said repeatedly, I reserve an open mind on the matter. However, the project can only be assessed based on the information supplied and I have a duty to perform rigorous scrutiny of all proposals which involve tax payers money.”
“My door is open if representatives from Waterford Airport wish to engage with me directly on any of the matters concerning the airport,” he said.
The Minister also noted Waterford Airport’s existing runway can facilitate propeller plane services, the like of which are currently operating from Donegal, Dublin, Cork, and Kerry airports to UK and mainland European destinations.
He said Waterford could commence such services without the need for significant new investment or any runway extension and noted this model would qualify the airport for States support already.
