Waterford Airport chief targets Ryanair return and says airport will 'complement' Cork

Chief executive William Bolster says airport can be 'game changer' for the South East

Turning the sod at Waterford Airport were the Deputy Mayor of Waterford  John Pratt alongside airport chief executive William Bolster and Waterford city and county Councillors on Runway 21, officially launching the new €30 million construction phase of the airport. Picture: Maxwells

The chief executive of Waterford Airport says that preliminary discussions have taken place with airlines including Ryanair about establishing services from the South-East.

Last week, the sod was turned on a €30m construction project at the airport, with development work already underway, including a major runway extension and infrastructure upgrades. The new runway will be lengthened to 2,287 metres and widened to 45 metres to accommodate large commercial jet aircraft. The upgrades will enable the return of commercial passenger services, with a target of handling of more than 400,000 passengers annually within three years.