Extra direct flights to EU

DIRECT flights between the south-east and some of Europe’s top hot spots could be on the cards within months.

Waterford Airport bosses last night confirmed they have appointed a new chief executive and announced that they are in discussions with an airline that may lead to the introduction of direct flights from the south-east of Ireland to mainland Europe.

Airport Chairman, Nicky Fewer, confirmed that negotiations are at an “advanced stage” with an airline that may see jet aircraft used from the first half of 2007 to fly between Waterford and mainland European destinations including Malaga, Faro and Prague.

“We’ve been keen for some time to expand the choice of destinations that are conveniently and affordably accessible from Waterford. The feedback we get from passengers is that they greatly value the existing Aer Arann services and would be very interested in seeing new routes introduced, especially where these involve destinations that can currently only be reached via the larger and more congested airports in Dublin and Cork.”

He also confirmed the new chief executive of the rapidly-expanding airport is Graham Doyle, a native of Waterford who joins the airport from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Welcoming Mr Doyle’s appointment Mr Fewer said that the airport board “look forward to working with Graham ... to advance the airport’s business agenda”.

Waterford Airport will brief the tourism and hospitality industry on their future plans at Tower Hotel Waterford tonight at 7pm.

Further information about Waterford Airport is available online at www.flywaterford.com.