Weaknesses have emerged in recent assessments of the Waterford Airport development proposal, including a decline in passenger traffic since 2009 according to an assessment by junior transport minister James Lawless.
In a written statement, minister Lawless acknowledged the significance of the Waterford Airport proposal for regional connectivity and expresses a commitment to support the project, opening an open dialogue with local representatives and stakeholders.
The government’s policy aims to promote growth across regions by enhancing air connections and expanding regional airports, noting the need for rigorous scrutiny of the proposals due to taxpayer considerations.
The statement claimed that Waterford Airport can operate scheduled passenger services without major investment, suggesting that a Preliminary Business Case could be submitted to facilitate progress if detailed demand analysis is provided.
