Kilkenny funding helps give summer lift-off to Waterford Airport runway extension
It is expected work to extend the runway at Waterford Airport could begin early this summer after it was confirmed planning permission for the project will be lodged next week.
The proposed €12 million project will be paid for by a €5 million capital funding grant from the Government, an injection of money from Kilkenny County Council, who along with the local authorities in Waterford and Wexford will contribute a combined €2 million, with the remaining €5 million to be generated among a group of local businesses.
CEO of Waterford City and County Council, Michael Walsh confirmed at a meeting of the council this week that they will be going ahead with the planning application this week with a view to beginning construction in the summer.
The runway upgrade is being carried out to try and attract international airlines to the South East. The funds will be used to extend the current length of the runway from 1,433 meters to 2,280 meters.
When completed the airport will be able to cater for large commercial planes such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.
Despite this progress, it emerged at that meeting that the board of directors has not met since the group was set up when the announcement of funding for the project was made. Mr Walsh said it is his intention to hold a meeting of directors in the coming weeks.
