Business leaders vie to keep airports open

BUSINESS leaders in the west are to step up their efforts to keep two regional airports open following the Government’s decision to terminate funding from the end of this year.

Politicians, business leaders and tourism groups say that the closure of the airports at Galway and Sligo will have a devastating impact on the region.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said that the Government was concentrating its spending on four airports — Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford — and there was insufficient funding to provide for Galway and Sligo airports beyond this year.