Work continuing on Waterford Airport redevelopment as council issues update
An update on the airport was provided at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council
Work is continuing on the redevelopment of Waterford Airport, a council meeting has heard.
Labour Party councillor Seamus Ryan requested an update on the airport at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
Cllr Ryan said: “Can I ask about the airport? Can we receive a progress report on the development of the airport?
“It’s great to see the new runway started but what I want to know, the public are asking me and I’m sure they’re asking everybody here, is when are we likely to see some flights going out of the airport?”
In response, Chief Executive Sean McKeown outlined how works are progressing at the airport.
Mr McKeown said: “In relation to the airport, as elected members will know, we had the sod turning back in May so works are underway there.
“It’s mostly preparatory works at the moment. There’s a bit of to-ing and fro-ing in relation to the works that need to be carried out on the R708.
“That’s the road adjacent to the airport there so when the airport landing strip and runway is extended and expanded, there’s some alterations to be done there so we’re back and forward with those.”
He went on to suggest that the council invites the airport’s investor, US billionaire Kelcy Warren, to provide an update on the development later this year.
“So it might be a good idea, maybe before year end, we would invite the developer in to give us an update.
“As members will recall, it’s in our legal agreements with the investor that the schedule of works would take 12 months to complete.
“Given that it started in May, we’re looking at May 2027 for completion.
“So sometime between now and year end would be halfway through and it would be a good idea to get an update on where we’re going with the airport.”
Mr McKeown concluded by saying that whilst having the infrastructure in place is important, the council is more interested in the flights that are going to be starting there.
“So it will be good to bring the investor in to have that conversation,” he added.