Great news for the west of Ireland.
Ireland West Airport in Mayo is to benefit from a €15 million facilities investment plan aimed at transforming the airport over the next three years.
Work has already commenced on the upgrade at the airport, with the €15 million set to be invested in new passenger facilities, terminal upgrades and infrastructural works across the airport facility and runway.
Projects to be completed between 2017 and 2019 include:
- Resurfacing of Car Park Zone 5, resulting in 250 permanent surfaced car park spaces less than five minutes’ walk from the terminal
- Major upgrade of existing car park equipment to the latest state of the art equipment, including the introduction of a number plate recognition system
- Construction and re-modelling of new toilet facilities at the airport
- Covered aircraft passenger boarding stairs for passengers boarding and disembarking aircraft
- Re-modelling of immigration and arrivals area, creating increased circulation space for arriving passengers
- Upgrading to new flight information display screens across the airport terminal
- Upgrade and replenishment of ground handling equipment and safety and response vehicles
- Enhancements to the airport retail and catering facilities
- Construction of a new Tourist Welcome Centre adjacent to the arrivals area
- Introduction of new digital display screens throughout the airport facility
- Remodelling of departures area, creating additional seating capacity and upgrading of furniture
- Upgrading of the existing runway instrument landing system (ILS), enabling enhanced navigation for pilots
- A full resurfacing of the airport’s 2,400m runway, including taxiways and an upgrade of lighting system to LED
€4 million worth of infrastructural improvements are expected to have been made by the end of the first quarter of 2018, while the project as a whole is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
The upgrade to the airport is expected to provide a major boost to the local economy, with the airport utilising the services of a number of local contractors and suppliers to carry out some of the projects.
Commenting on the development plans, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport said: “This latest facilities investment programme will adapt, modernise and transform the airport with contemporary elements and future-proof services. It will make the airport more efficient, provide greater flexibility and resilience to the passengers and ensure an even more comfortable and easier journey through the airport.
“This is especially important at a time when we are experiencing passenger growth and working with our airline partners to introduce more choice in services for our customers. We believe these planned improvements will continue to grow our reputation as the faster, easier, friendlier airport of choice for those travelling to and from the west, midlands and north-west of Ireland.
“Investment in new facilities and in particular continued investment in safety and security ensures the operational environment of the airport will be future-proofed to meet the evolving airline and security needs and to ensure we have the infrastructure needed to handle more passengers and provide them with a positive experience whether arriving or departing as we enter the next phase in the airports development.
“I wish to express our gratitude for the continued support of our local authority partners and the Departments of Tourism, Transport and Sport and Rural & Community Development towards these developments. In addition, a thank you to our customers whose contributions, through the Airport Development Fee, provide a critical funding support for the airport’s development plans.”
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