Traffic and routes key for Kerry Airport

A serious drop in passenger numbers since the recession set in and the need to attract new airlines and markets were highlighted yesterday as key challenges for Kerry Airport.

Kerry Airport plc chairman Denis Cregan told the company’s AGM in Tralee, an 8% decline in passengers last year — from 311,000 to 286,000 — was very unsatisfactory and a priority now was to attract more business on all routes. Passenger numbers at the Farranfore facility peaked at 432,000, in 2009.

The airport had a €168,330 operating loss, last year, up from €159,840 the previous year.