Waterford Airport representatives reacted strongly to comments from Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, who dismissed local efforts for a jet runway as those of “a bunch of local lunatics” seeking government support.
O’Leary argued that the airport lacks commercial viability and is primarily serviceable by the catchment areas of Cork and Dublin, while indicating that Ryanair would consider limited flights if a new runway was free to use.
Michael O’Leary told the press conference last week after the Q3 quarterly results: “If we get a jet runway and there was a low-cost base, i.e. it was free, we might put one or two flights a day back in there from London, but really it’s in the catchment area of Cork and Dublin and therefore I think it has no commercial future or economic future, but we wish them well. There’s a bunch of local lunatics there who are determined to get a government grant to build a jet runway.”
William Bolster, the largest shareholder of Waterford Airport, shared: ‘’While it would not be the first time I was called a lunatic and many would agree with Michael, I look forward to engaging with Ryanair and the management team on the possibilities for Waterford Airport, and I hope to explore all options with the various European low-cost airlines in due course.”
“My main focus for now is to provide and deliver the runway and related infrastructure to allow all airlines have the option to look at Waterford as a well-located strategic option for air travel in and out of our island nation. This will be a massive boost for business and tourism in the southeast region.
“The recent public support which reflected in both the local and national elections where Waterford Airport was the number one issue in the region just solidifies the need for such an important project.”
