Media Archive

Minister's announcement causes serious concern at Galway Airport

Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, announced this week the discontinuation of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Dublin and Galway post the current PSO contract due to end in July of this year. 

Joe Walsh, MD of Galway Airport, said that "the decision to discontinue the PSO Galway Dublin service is disappointing all be it expected and will impact on business connectivity via Dublin Airport. The airport is committed to continuing to service the business need for connectivity through Dublin Airport and is progressing with detailed discussions in this regard".

"I want to express my disappointment and concern in relation to the Department of Transport ‘s report on the "Value for Money Review of Exchequer Expenditure on Regional Airports Expenditure Programme" and the lack of relevant and accurate detail pertaining to Galway Airport. Generalised and unsupported statements have been made in the report and are being challenged".

"The report ignores Galway as the location of the third largest population centre in Ireland with employment in excess of 40,000 and home to key clusters of both Life Science and ICT industries who require access to international markets".

Michael Corless, Chairman of Galway Airport "on behalf of the Board, management and staff of Galway Airport I express concern with regard to the Minister's announcement and that it is unfortunate that the necessity for the continued existence of Galway Airport has not been fully understood or taken into account in the Value for Money Review of the role of Galway Airport.  The report is out of date and contradicts the clear messages of support obtained from the developmentt agencies, IDA, EI and Udaras".

Carmel Brennan, President of the Galway Chamber of Commerce said  "Galway Airport is a business airport and its existence and survival is critical for the future of the region as it makes an important contribution to supporting and creating jobs in Galway".

Galway Airport is a critical piece of transport infrastructure supporting both the indigenous and international business sectors by facilitating both outbound and inbound access to and from international markets. The industrial composition of the Galway economy is unique among Irish cities in terms of the concentration of high technology industries and its extremely heavy dependence on internationally traded sectors and markets and that because of the airport's extensive access to international ‘hub' airports the airport continues to be a key selling point in maintaining and attracting investment into the West region.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• 40,000 people employed in Galway City region.
• Galway Airport has received written support from employers representing 15,000 employees
• 43% of key Galway businesses have confirmed the airport as being ‘Essential to Important' in their setting up in the City and Galway region
• 55% of the airports' Dublin traffic is business related.
• 85% of the airport's traffic is international traffic
• In 2009 overseas tourism spend in Galway was €266 million
• The tourism impact of the airport on the region is estimated at €19m
• Galway Airport provides critical air access to international markets
• Independent economic analysis has estimated that Galway Airport directly contributes €31 million annually to the region with the indirect impact associated with maintaining access to international markets being far greater.
• Direct employment associated with the airport in 2010 was 175 full time equivalent personnel, contributing in excess of €2 million in PAYE and PRSI to the Exchequer.

For further information contact:

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