Airport Facilities Fee
Galway Airport introduced a departing passenger fee on November 1st 2010. This fee is known as the Airport Facilities Fee or the AFF and is set at €10 per passenger. The AFF is charged on all passengers departing from Galway Airport aged 12 years and over.
The key purpose of the AFF is to support the provision of passenger services and facilities, on-going maintenance and the operation of this airport. The services include terminal facilities, safety and security services, air traffic control services, runway navigational systems, aircraft parking, and Rescue Fire Fighting services.
All airlines and air service operators have been notified of the introduction of the AFF and have been requested to make passengers aware of it before booking travel out of Galway Airport.
What is the AFF?
The AFF is a fee charged by Galway Airport on all departing passengers to help support the continued operation of the airport.
Why do I have to pay the AFF?
To help secure the airport's 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 an airport facilities fee.
Who has to pay the AFF?
All passengers 12 years and over departing from Galway Airport will be required to purchase a €10 AFF Ticket to use the airside facilities at the airport. Children under 12 will also require an AFF ticket but NO fee will be charged.
Why is the AFF not included in my ticket price?
Galway Airport collects the AFF in an open and transparent manner, and all airlines and air service operators using the airport are fully aware of its existence as a fee payable locally in addition to the flight ticket cost and associated taxes / charges.
What happens if I do not pay the AFF?
All departing passengers 12 Years and over must pay the AFF fee and be in possession of a valid AFF Ticket and have their Boarding Pass stamped prior to proceeding to Security Screening and the Departures Lounge.
How and where do I pay the AFF?
After you have checked-in and received your Boarding Pass you then proceed to the AFF Desk where you can pay your AFF by Cash, Laser (Debit) or Credit card. Passengers who have already checked-in on-line can go straight to the AFF desk to pay their AFF and have their Boarding document stamped. The AFF desk is to your left before the entrance to the Departures Lounge. You must purchase your AFF Ticket and have your Boarding Pass stamped before proceeding through security to the Departures Lounge. The AFF is only payable at the AFF desk - it cannot be paid anywhere else. AFF Tickets can be retained and will act as a receipt of payment.
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
If you have purchased an AFF Ticket and your flight is then cancelled,please proceed to the AFF Desk where arrangements will be made for a refund of your AFF Ticket.
If the AFF Ticket was purchased using Cash, the refund will be in the form of Cash and if purchased using a Credit/Debit Card the refund will be made to the original card account used. Passengers must present themselves with their AFF Ticket at the AFF Desk to obtain a refund.
Is a passenger fee like the AFF unique to Galway Airport?
No. Regional airports both in the Republic of Ireland and the UK have introduced a similar fee and it is also common worldwide.
Does Government Operational Subvention & Public Service Obligation (PSO) Support not cover the facility costs?
In light of the current economic challenges and the removal by Government of the PSO on the Galway - Dublin service, the airport has lost a key income stream, which has supported airport running costs to date.
The AFF is critical to bridging this gap. As a non-state airport and a not-for-profit organization, Galway Airport deploys its resources in the provision of airport services for the betterment of our city and region and has a vision for the continued development of the airport for those reasons.
What will the AFF be spent on?
The AFF together with Government support will assist with the provision of critical airport services in supporting the day-to-day operational costs. The airport will continue to seek support from Government for the continued operation of the airport to secure its future for the City, County and the wider region and to provide our passengers with the appropriate and necessary levels of service and facilities.
Achievements at Galway Airport since 1982 have included:
- 1982 - Presentation to Galway County Development Team on the importance of an airport to the development of Galway and its surrounds
- 1984 - Government confirmed full backing for the provision of an airport in Carnmore
- 1985 - Galway Airport incorporated with Galway Chamber of Commerce the majority shareholder
- 1986 - New 1200m runway constructed
- 1987 - Airport Fire Service established and opens for business
- 1990 - 82,000 passengers use Galway Airport
- Construction of current Terminal Building and
Control Tower
- 2004 - Construction of Fire Station and installation of Fire Training simulator
- Runway overlay and installation of runway
landing systems
- 2007 - Busiest year ever when 309,500 passengers use Galway Airport
- 2 Millionth passenger uses Galway Airport
- New twin Hangars completed and leased
- New Aer arann aircraft maintenance facility
- 2008 - Launch of new Corporate branding - ‘Connecting You'
- New Departures Lounge and Airside shop
- Continuation of airport development programme -
Terminal & Airfield
- Completion of airport Future Development Strategy
2030
- 2007 to 2009 - Transport 21 projects:
Ø New Runway 26 turn pad
Ø New Runway Centre Line lighting
Ø New generator for essential power supply
Ø New Runway lighting control system
- 2009 - Construction of new General Aviation Hangars
- 2010 - 160,000 passengers to use Galway Airport
Where do we go from here?
The vision for Galway Airport is:
Ø The development of a sustainable and commercially viable regional airport.
Ø To continue to be a key driver in the economic development and employment of the region.
Ø The development of routes and services to support the current and future growth of Galway City, County and surrounding regions.
Further Information and Feedback
You can provide your comments and feedback to the Airport Marketing Department in writing (subject heading ‘Facilities Fee') at Galway Airport, Carnmore, Co. Galway or by Email to aff@galwayairport.com or you can speak to a member of staff at the terminal Information Desk.
Thank You for supporting the continued operation of your local airport.
Galway Airport, Carnmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
