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Press Release

Airport to introduce Airport Facilities Fee  

Galway, the driver of the West Region economy, with its strong growth over recent years and its stability in the face of economic crises, has outperformed the rest of the Irish economy and is withstanding the current economic downturn much better than the overall economy.

Galway Airport is playing its part in the local and regional economy as it is a critical piece of transport infrastructure which supports both the indigenous and international business sectors by facilitating both outbound and inbound access to and from international markets. Because of its extensive access to international ‘hub' airports the airport continues to be a key selling point in attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the West region.

To help secure the airports' future, meet the ongoing needs associated with the operation of the airport and to maintain the high standards of operational safety and security, it has been necessary to introduce a departing passenger fee. Galway Airport is introducing this fee effective from November 1^st 2010.This fee will be known as the Airport Facilities Fee or the AFF and is set at €10 per departing passenger and will be charged on all passengers departing from the airport aged 12 years and over.

The airport will continue to seek Government support which is essential to securing its future for the City, County and the wider region so as to provide our passengers with the appropriate and necessary levels of service and facilities. A well serviced regional airport is a key cornerstone to supporting business as well as attracting new investment to the area.

Joe Walsh, Managing Director, Galway Airport, said "the airport understands the challenging times faced by all our passengers and businesses alike and have not taken the decision to implement this additional fee lightly. This fee will help us to continue providing the essential service that is Galway Airport. We still need Government support to survive and we will continue to pursue this agenda on behalf of all airport users".

Paul Shelly, President Galway Chamber of Commerce said "‘the availability of an airport in Galway was a factor in the decision by our major employers such as Boston Scientific, Hewlett Packard, Medtronic, APC, Cisco and Nortel among others, to set up in Galway and it is a factor in their decisions to stay here. These companies employ over 12,000 people in the Galway area and have been a backbone of our business base since they first opened their doors. For these businesses and for our indigenous business backbone we need an airport. We need Government support for our airport and at this time we also need additional support in the form of the airport facilities fee".

ENDS

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