Media Archive

Airport Family Day a huge success!

Galway Airport yesterday, Sunday July 10^th, opened its doors for its first ever ‘family day' and the public came in their thousands!

The family day was a staff initiative to ‘showcase' the airport facility to the people of Galway and let them see first hand the operation of the airport. Besides the many family day activities the airport provided its normal Sunday scheduled flights to and from London Southend, London Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, Waterford and Dublin. It was an opportunity for people to see the airport operating first hand as a key piece of transport infrastructure for both Galway and the West region.

 The ‘park and ride' operation from the racecourse was a huge success and this combined with free entry and the dry weather all added up to the success of the day plus there was no charge for any of the activities which included vintage cars, bouncy castles, balloon modelling, face painting, airport fire tender display, stunt plane demonstrations and much more.

With a specially set up airside viewing area there was plenty to see for the aviation enthusiasts as well. Aer Arann's ATR aircraft, helicopters from the Gardai, the Air Sea Rescue and Executive Helicopters plus numerous stunt planes kept the crowd enthralled all afternoon long as they enjoyed the sunshine, music and a BBQ.

Michael Moloney, Marketing Manager, Galway Airport said that "we planned for a reasonable crowd but we were amazed with the number of people who came out to support our first family day and estimates of the crowd are in excess of seven thousand people. A great day was had by all and the level of public support for the airport is fantastic and appreciated by all here on site and provides a huge boost for staff and all involved with the airport facility".

"I would also like to say a very special thanks to all those involved in making the day such a success from those that supplied the various activities and all our staff who helped to organise such a successful day".

The Galway Hospice and the Share a Dream Foundation, the airports nominated charities for 2011, were both present yesterday and will receive funds from the airport as a result of the family day and particularly as a result of a very busy and successful BBQ!

Sean O'Healy, Chief Executive Galway Hospice said "we are delighted to have been chosen as a joint beneficiary from the family day at Galway Airport. It was wonderful to be part of such a festive and uplifting occasion. Our sincere thanks to everyone involved in organising the event and especially to the thousands of people who turned up on the day to enjoy the festivities and to support the two benefiting charities".

Shay Kinsella, Founder and CEO, Share a Dream Foundation said "the Share a Dream Foundation is all about creating smiles for very special children and it's the greatest feeling in the world. At the Galway Airport Family Day yesterday, it was total laughter, happy memories, friendship and hundreds of wonderful smiles whichever way you turned. It was a wonderful tribute to the airport and the volunteers who made the day such a fantastic success. On behalf of the very sick children who will benefit from all of your kindness, we say a very BIG thank you!"

ENDS

For further information contact:

Michael Moloney, Marketing Manager, Galway Airport @ 086-6004288

Ref. GA PR9/July 11^th 2011