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Galway Airport was awarded with one of the country’s most prestigious awards for quality at a ceremony in Dublin last Thursday. The airport beat off competition from thousands of companies throughout Ireland to secure first position in the Excellence Ireland General Services category at a gala ceremony in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

The annual Excellence Ireland Quality Awards recognises that organisations participating within an EIQA programme are making a public statement about their commitment to improving the quality of their internal and external services, and their continuous improvement aim. The awards celebrate the drive, commitment and achievements of all nominated companies and their demonstration and application of Best Practice

Galway Airport Chairman, Michael Corless, said ‘I would like to congratulate the management and staff on behalf of the Board for their magnificent performance in the achievement of not only the Q Mark but also the EIQA National Award in the General Services Category.’

Tony Gibson, Aerodrome Manager said the ‘award is a recognition of the on-going commitment by Galway Airport to both its airline and passenger customers. Our continuous improvement programme has seen an investment of over €6m in the last number of years in airfield technology and airport terminal improvements. This has ultimately led to improved reliability and performance, as well as additional services to our passengers as they transit the airport. We have listened to our customers, and will continue to listen to our customers on how we can further improve the airport going forward. Galway Airport is the only Airport in Ireland to hold the Q Mark. This award is a credit to the airport staff and their commitment to our quality programme.’

Passenger numbers at the airport have grown by 400% over recent years. Ireland’s premier regional airline, Aer Arann, operate four daily services to Dublin, twice daily to London Luton and ten times weekly to Manchester as well as Edinburgh, Cardiff and Lorient. Last week Aer Arann commenced new services to Leeds Bradford and Cork. The airline was awarded the prestigious Palme dÕOr by the European Regions Airline Association. In June of this year, Flybe, one of Europe’s leading low cost carriers announced that it was to begin operations to Galway with services to Belfast City commencing on October 29 and Birmingham in March 2007. They further announced in September a new route to Southampton, which will begin operations on December 16 next.