City location attracts niche market

THE skies in the west of Ireland may always be busy during the Galway Races but the level of aviation activity in the region is no longer confined to the whirr of helicopters decamping wealthy businessmen to corporate tents at Ballybrit for one week in July.

Galway Airport, located a mere 6km east of the city at Carnmore, has recorded steady growth over recent years, despite facing strong competition from its two nearest, larger rivals at Shannon and Knock.

The bedrock of its success has always been its services to Dublin — flights which remain part of the Government-funded Essential Air Services Programme. Passengers on the route have grown from 51,000 in 1995 to more than 74,000 last year. The airport’s managing director, Joe Walsh, reports that growth in passenger numbers has continued this year, despite improvements to the road network that has reduced journey times by car to Dublin.