Deal on new routes for airport collapses

HOPES of developing landmark air links between Waterford and some of Europe’s hottest sun destinations have been dashed - for the moment at least.

Management at the South East Regional Airport in Waterford are confident though that new routes to Europe will be secured in the coming months despite the failure of recent discussions with a carrier which was considering flights to Spain, Portugal and France.

Nicky Fewer, chairman of the airport company, said discussions are ongoing with a number of carriers to extend the range of services from the airport.

“We are confident that we will be in a position to announce new routes to Europe from Waterford and we were particularly heartened by the response from local people and indeed from throughout the region, which indicates that there is a significant demand for the package of routes which we plan,” said Mr Fewer.

Just two weeks ago, Mr Fewer said he was confident that the South East Regional Airport (Waterford) would enjoy its best ever year in 2006. While the talks with Isle of Man-based EuroManx to provide two flights a week to and from Malaga, Barcelona and Bordeaux, as well as a weekly return service to Faro, have not been successful, it’s not all bad news, he said.

“Building on the success of the existing Aer Arann services that connect Waterford with Manchester, London Luton and Lorient, the additional destinations we hope to introduce next year offer the potential to make ours the airport of first choice for a whole new set of passengers,” he said.

Praising the airport’s staff, management and board, Mr Fewer said a great team effort had helped turn around the facility’s fortunes.

“There has been a huge commitment shown to the airport by a group of people operating at different levels and it is this that has put us in the good position we are now in.

“We can now look to the future with confidence and it is clear that the introduction of additional routes to Europe,” he said.