Kerry Airport requires €6m to ‘take off’

THE need to implement a €6m proposal to improve facilities at Kerry Airport was highlighted yesterday.

Almost 400,000 passengers passed through the airport last year, 90% of whom were tourists, and numbers are growing each year.

The proposal to upgrade the arrivals and departures area and baggage handling facilities has been welcomed by business and tourism interests in Kerry, but it may be some years before work begins.

Irish Business and Employers' Confederation (IBEC) regional director Adrian Beatty said the airport was a vital part of Kerry's infrastructure.

"The airport has been a phenomenal success, but there are parking problems and serious concerns are being raised by people about the need to improve facilities in the terminal building," he said.

"Bus services that coincide with flight times should also be provided to Tralee and Killarney."

Airport spokesman Peter Bellew said proposals were still at the planning stage and it was hoped to have a definite development plan in place by Christmas. He said the airport authorities were disappointed on being refused planning permission for a bus parking and turning area.

"A lot of our plans depend on the forthcoming realignment of the Castleisland/Farranfore road, as we will have to change all access to the airport," Mr Bellew added.

"As soon as we know the plan for the road, we can start working on our plans, which will have to fit in with the road changes."

An IBEC report on Kerry's future described the airport as a key economic driver for regional business.

The report called for a feasibility study on the possibility of relocating the railway station from nearby Farranfore village to a place closer to the airport, so as to create an integrated transport hub.

Flights are provided to Dublin, London, Frankfurt and Manchester. Ryanair is the biggest operator, flying 143,000 to London (Stansted) and 105,000 to Frankfurt last year.

Aer Arann provides four daily flights on the Kerry/Dublin route, three of which are operated under Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding, provided by the Government.

The PSO is, at present, up for renewal and four airlines Aer Arann, British Midland, Cityjet and Ryanair are competing for it. The successful applicant is due to be known before the end of this month.