Media Archive

As Chairman and on behalf of the Board of Galway Airport, I am today pleased to announce the completion of the first of two new hangars, which are the result of a substantial direct investment by Galway Airport from our own resources, supported by Bank of Scotland and the agreement to lease from Aer Arann.

The construction of these facilities, the first major construction project at the airport for 2 years, carried out by Galway construction company, James Stewart Ltd., is Phase one of a major investment programme by Galway Airport costing €12m over the next 3 years in conjunction with Transport 21 Programme.

The combined floor space of the two new hangars of 30,000 sq feet will allow Galway Airport to offer maintenance and additional aviation facilities to our airline partners namely: Aer Arann, Flybe and Nex Aviation, who will commence direct charter flights to the sun to Spain, Portugal and France this summer.

Galway Airport, as the fastest growing regional airport in Ireland is proud to continue providing Aer Arann, one of Europe’s fastest growing regional airlines with a full compliment of first class airport services and facilities. Aer Arann is a tremendous success story – we are delighted to be part of that success.

Galway Airport passenger numbers have doubled since 1998 and this year 2007 will see passenger numbers grow by at least 30%. This growth in the travelling public has necessitated further investment in Operational resources resulting in staff employed at the airport increasing from 60 in 2007 to 80 in 2008.Also as a result of this rapid increase in passenger numbers Galway Airport is currently undergoing a restructuring programme which will include new upgraded car parking, upgraded check-in, departure and catering facilities and a revamp of our terminal including new office accommodation.
We expect to continue our growth in passenger numbers through Galway Airport over the next 2/3 years at which stage an expansion to the airport will be required.

The continued growth of Galway Airport is the direct result of our successful partnership with our key service provider Aer Arann and we, the Board of Directors and our Management team headed by Joe Walsh, at Galway Airport, will strive to make our partnership even more successful going forward.

Our success to date is in no small measure due to the outstanding contributions and support of our Management team and all our staff, the continued support from the Department of Transport and the IAA, Galway Chamber and both the City and County Councils, our lead bankers Bank of Ireland and most of all, each one of you the people who matter, our passengers.

Mr.Michael Corless,
Chairman,
Galway Airport.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Joe Walsh,
General Manager,
Galway Airport,
Tel.: 091-755569
Fax.: 091-752876