Irish airport hopes to resume commercial flights next year after crucial vote

Huge news for those in the south-east

Waterford Airport, which first opened in 1981, has not hosted commercial flights since 2016.

However, it seems that the airport may once again see scheduled flights, after an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) approved plans to liquidate Waterford Regional Airport Ltd.

The liquidation means that a new company could begin work in order to reopen the airport to commercial flights as soon as next year.

Shareholders finalised plans to allow a new company, Waterford Airport Ltd, to complete the project.

The Irish Independent reports that shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve voluntary liquidation, with 483,881 votes for and 825 against.

A second vote saw the 1,300 shareholders approve chairperson Michael Walsh to oversee the process, with 483,381 votes in favour, and 1,325 against.

Following from this, there is a 30 day process to allow for any outstanding objections to be addressed. However, independent councillor Declan Barry, who attended in his capacity as a director, said “otherwise, the deal is done”.

“Waterford Airport is back in business. Unfortunately, I’ve finished as a director – our board is now to be dissolved as well. It’s a sad say in one sense for the old company, and the original investors, but what a bright future Waterford has. So, onwards and upwards,” Barry added.

The redevelopment of Waterford Airport is due to be led by US oil billionaire Kelcy Warren, and is investing €30m to €35m into the project.

Redevelopment of the airport will see a runway extension and upgrades of infrastructure to allow for it to handle larger aircraft.

It is hoped the airport will attract more than 400,000 travellers annually within five years of opening.

An official sod-turning ceremony will take place on May 18, with works expected to take 12 months, meaning that the airport could reopen to commercial flights as soon as next year.