Beware Horrendous Parking Charges at Galway
 

Just returned to Galway airport from a 3 day break in Co. Galway to fly back to the UK in my DR400 - only to be presented with a bill for 280 euros just for the parking! I have written a personal letter to the airport's MD and will advise on his response. Until I have it, I would strongly advise all of you out there considering flying to Galway - DON'T!

Just to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable I asked the (wonderful) lot at Waterford how much they charge for parking and they told me 15 euros per night. How can there be such a massive discrepancy in such a small country? How is it I got such wonderful service from Waterford and paid so much less than Galway where I paid so much? Crazy country - but I still love it!

Deano

Waterford is a great place!!!:)

You can park on the grass at the club at Waterford for nothing. Just ring the club in advance to agree it, or fill in their on-line parking request on the web site.

Waterford Aero Club [Visiting Us]
(look for the link in the green box, half way down the page)

Wow - Waterford just gets better and better! Everyone was so friendly and helpful there: what a great way to arrive in Ireland.

Deano

It doesn't help you now, but unfortunately it's all there on their website & explains the bill you got, how they justify it though I'll never know.
You would have thought that a combined fixed price per tonne per day for landing and parking would be a reasonable.

Landing charges (inclusive of navigation service charges).
Fixed Wing
Parking of Aircraft

The first three hours after touchdown are free.
The following rates are applicable after touchdowns allocation has expired:

Quote:

---

Per Hour Parking
(07:00 – 22:00)
Parking per aircraft (up to 4.9 Tonne) €4
Parking per aircraft (5 to 7.9 Tonne) €10
Parking per aircraft (over 12 tonne) €12
Overnight Parking(22:00 – 07:00)
Parking per aircraft (up to 4.9 Tonne) €24
Parking per aircraft (5 to 7.9 Tonne) €48
Parking per aircraft (over 12 tonne) €75

---

You didn't take your private B747 did you?

A timely post for me.
I recently started a new thread looking for alternatives to Galway as I plan to visit the NW in September.
Worryingly there doesn't appear to much alternative in the vicinity.
Unless someone knows something to the contrary?

There is Conemara Airport - which is owned and run by Air Aerann. I didn't use it as I thought it would be difficult to get a hire car from there - but recent research since I returned has confirmed that the hire car company I used would have delivered the car to this airport: you live and learn, I suppose.

Yes I could have checked on parking charges by going to their website but 1) I have never been fleeced like this before in 25 years of flying and 2) I thought I had no alternative so why bother

Deano

They have quite severe restrictions on visitors and almost certainly won't allow overnight parking. There's only a few hours during the day when they'll permit you to land.

Re: Galway
 

Hi Folks,

Galway is infamous in Ireland for its ridiculous ways and levels of charges. I never go there anymore. I have parked overnight in Conemara but it was a few years ago and they have had some policy changes since. So am not up to date.

If you can get your hands on VFR Flight Guide Ireland by Kevin Glynn. 129 airports, airfields, airstrips listed covering by Northern Ireland and the Republic. There are detailed national maps showing the geographic location of each site, plus a detailed index.

This will give more options and you will see a lot of people and aircraft you would not seen otherwise.

Don't let Galway put you off. Ireland is a great country to fly in. Low traffic density, loads of uncontrolled airspace and magnificent countryside.

Prgainised a group fly out a few years back and also got ripped off by Galway and Connemara were very unwelcoming don't plan to go back.

I have always has a great experience at Sligo and would definitely recommend Sligo as a friendly and no nonsense destination. Bit further north than Galway but a very beautiful area with surfing beaches, mountains, lakes and nice town with good nightlife.:ok:

It is smaller and more personal so suggest that everyone gives Galway a miss and heads to Sligo,you can still get to Aran isles etc from there and they have fuel and landing / parking without rip off prices.

Does anyone know where I can buy one of the above mentioned flight guides?

This is the one you want (VFR Flight Guide). I think they only did a small print run; I would offer you mine but...........

Bought one earlier this year from www.pilotshop.ie

Many other alternatives to Galway within a 10 mile radius if you don't suffer from an allergy to grass! I still recall the €3.10 a litre Avgas and rip off parking charges from Race Week '08 and would rather not repeat....

:uhoh:

Grass is fine with me.
I just followed the link above and am informed that the book is no longer in stock and not scheduled for reprint.:(
Does the Irish pooleys have ALL of the airfields in it, I know the UK one certainly doesn't.

No it doesn't :(

I've got the Irish Pooleys, but without a map of where the airfields are located (and not being Irish) it's difficult knowing where they all are. The only thing for it is to mark them all out on my Irish roadmap and then transfer them onto the Irish1/2 mill !

Ireland VFR Flight Guide
 

If you need one the author has them..... €30 or so. Call or text Kevin at +353 86 6002300. His number is in the book so its not a state secret!

Enjoy

I spoke to Kevin and a guide is on its way to me.
I also spoke to Conemarra (Inverrin) and they were absolutely fine with landing and overnight parking!
So Deanoverton, can you tell me the name of the car hire co that would deliver to there please?

If anyone wants a copy of VFR flight guide Ireland I have one copy left. €35-00 inc P&P to the UK.... drop me a PM if interested.
Galway is hideous as far as charging goes, even the local rag ran this feature a couple weeks back. A bit of advice, stay to hell away from the place, tons of alternatives like Sligo/Birr/Abbyshrule/Clonblogue/Donegal and many many more.... and please don't be put off coming over to Ireland, it is a wonderful country to fly in, if your ever over, come on up to the North West where a warm welcome awaits you. All details in Kevins book.

Jon
www.RuskeyAirfield.com

http://www.esatclear.ie/~jonkil/misc_stuff/galway.jpg