Ireland West Airport has welcomed the announcement of funding of €8.4m for the airport to support the completion of the airports runway overlay project in 2019. The funding which represents 75% of the total estimated project costs as permitted under EU state aid guidelines will provide for a rehabilitation of the airports 2,400m runway. The airport will also invest close to €3 million in completing the project in addition to the exchequer funding. The overlay, which includes a complete resurfacing and the installation of new ground lighting systems is required to ensure that the runway continues to meet the strict regulations governing the operation and specification of runways at major airports
Runway 26/08 which opened in 1985, has seen over 10 million passengers land and take off on it and is a critical element of the airports infrastructure. This is the first time in its 33-year history that the runway has had a full overhaul.
Arthur French, Chairman, Ireland West Airport said ‘We welcome yesterday’s announcement of funding by the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohue TD as part of Budget 2019, to support the rehabilitation and overlay of the airports runway in 2019. This is the biggest project undertaken by the airport in recent years and when completed will safeguard the airports runway for the next 25 years.’
New Cologne route announced
In another boost for Ireland West Airport Ryanair have announced they will commence a new direct service to Cologne starting in June 2019. The flights will operate every Tuesday and Saturday, starting June 1st 2019 until September.
Cologne is Germany’s fourth largest city and the largest city of the State of North Rhine–Westphalia. This new announcement is a major boost for tourism in the West and North West regions of Ireland as it provides the only direct access to the West Coast from the North Rhine-Westphalia region. Germany is the third-largest market for tourism to the island of Ireland with a record year forecasted in 2018 of over 650,000 German visitors with 50% of German holidaymakers visiting the West and North West of Ireland during their stay.
Posted by Ireland West Airport on Wednesday, 10 October 2018
