Talks today over future of airport

January 22, 2003

(16:52) Talks will take place in both Waterford and Dublin today as efforts continue to safeguard the future of the South East Regional airport.

The airport, which is based just outside Waterford city, received a major blow last night when the only airline operating at the airport announced that it was not going to fly from the airport from this morning.

The airline informed the Dept of Transport by letter yesterday that it was withdrawing its services from Sligo, Donegal and Waterford. In the letter it stated that 'the UK Civil Aviation Authorities have decided to suspend the airlines UK AOC. This action means that Euroceltic Airways are not in a position to operate the PSC schedules for which we are contracted to, as from of this moment.'

Euroceltic Airlines has also said that 120 jobs are to go. However, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has told RTÉ News that it has not revoked or suspended the operating licence of Euroceltic.

On Radio this morning Junior Minister Jim McDaid said he hoped to have another airline servicing the Sligo and Donegal routes within a fortnight.

The board of the South East Regional Airport at Waterford is continuing with a series of meetings today with all of the parties involved to ensure the airport has a viable future.

Nicholas Fewer, chairman of the airport board, said that active negotiations with carriers are continuing and talks are ongoing with all interested parties to secure the best outcome for the airport and the region. All avenues are being explored in a bid to resolve the current difficulties, he added.

Delegation to meet Ministers

Meanwhile, a delegation from Waterford Chamber of Commerce was due to meet Seamus Brennan, Minister for Transport, in Dublin to discuss the airport crisis; the current threat which hangs over the Rosslare/Limerick Junction line and rail freight generally; and progress on the Waterford/Dublin dual carriageway.

The delegation was to meet Seamus Brennan and Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen at Government Buildings at around 3pm and the meeting is expected to last a few hours.

23/01 - Aer Arann looking for Euroceltic routes

Aer Arann is to seek top level negotiations with the Department of Transport to see if it can take over the public service contracts to fly from Donegal and Sligo to Dublin following the collapse of Euroceltic.

The airline is also negotiating with Waterford Airport to operate a service to London's Luton Airport.

:mad:
5Q has hit the right note: the problem with ECY is that it was run initially by a man with very good intentions but zero idea on how to operate a commercial airline. He had the great misfortune to have one of the poorest, most self-centered management teams ever & the airline was subsequently sold, at the beginning of 2002, to a pack of gipsies.

They find lying very easy, they have made it their 'management style' & this latest saga, "has the aoc gone or not," is just the latest example. Seems to me that HXXis trying to screw yet more money out of Waterford airport. Good luck to anyone who takes his routes off him. This man, or his minions, does not deserve to be involved in the airline business. They are downright dangerous.

Good luck to the guys & gals at WAT you deserve far more of a career than working for these c!

Environment Minister Martin Cullen has said a replacement carrier for the South East Regional Airport at Waterford could be announced as early as next week.

Speaking in Waterford, Minister Cullen said talks are at an advanced stage with an airline to replace Euroceltic, who earlier this week pulled out of the South East's only airport. He said he was confident a deal would be done.

On the issue of Public Service Obligation routes, the Minister said the issue will be discussed at cabinet and a number of proposals regarding the future funding of regional airports and routes are being considered.

He said the Government and his department are fully behind the long-term future development and growth of the South East Regional Airport.

I second The Potter - every word is true. http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/boots.gif