Call to restore Waterford-Gatwick route

A CALL has been made to renew the air link between Ireland’s south-east region and Gatwick airport in London.

Wexford deputy mayor Cllr Joe Ryan said yesterday all possible efforts should be made to increase air traffic between the regions, adding that Waterford airport was well placed to serve Gatwick, one of the world’s busiest transport hubs.

The Labour Party councillor welcomed Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary’s continued support for an air link between Shannon and Heathrow, but said that “what makes sense in the mid-west also makes sense in the south-east”.

Demanding the return to Waterford of Ryanair and the resumption of a London route, Cllr Ryan explained: “The independent airline has now developed a network which is second to none internationally. This airline started in Waterford.

“However, once they established themselves and were awarded flights from Dublin they abandoned their customers in the south-east in much the same way as they are now accusing Aer Lingus with regard to the Shannon-Heathrow route.

“I am calling on Mr O’Leary to prove that his interest in restoring profitable air routes is genuine by returning to the south-east and reopening the Gatwick route.

“This route is profitable. Not even Michael O’Leary can come up with a good reason not to reopen this route,” he added.