Council is to hear plans for Galway Airport site

A FULL report on the future of the Galway Airport site – including options for its long-term use – is to be presented to city councillors next month.

City Manager Brendan McGrath will deliver a presentation to councillors when the €1.1 million purchase by the city and county councils is completed next month.

The report will include all options available to the local authorities for future uses on the 115-acre site.

Meanwhile, the aviation licence for the airport has been extended for one month, to allow time for the facility’s sale to be concluded.

Corrib Airport Limited was granted the extension to its licence at the request of both local authorities.

Mr McGrath said: “The formal acquisition of the airport site by both local authorities is expected to be completed by late April/early May. Further extensions of an aviation licence will be progressed, as required, in that context.”

Councillor Catherine Connolly expressed renewed concerns about the future of the site and whether it could continue to be used as an airport.

“This site is a significant strategic asset and the Councils have earmarked it for future economic development. However, it remains totally unclear for some time as to whether the airport will continue to function for core services and also to service strategic companies and businesses located in Galway.

“It’s very worrying that any time the aviation licence was raised at Council level by myself or other councillors, the Manager’s response was that the councils had not bought an airport, but a brownfield site.

“It would make no sense to deprive an airport of a licence in a city like Galway which is substantially reliant on foreign investment.

“Moreover the airport is also essential for core services and to leave it idle while awaiting long term plans and investment would be self-defeating,” said Cllr Connolly.