Galway Bay FM News Archives
Sky’s the limit for airport as new service takes to the air
Date Published: 28-Mar-2011
By Dara Bradley
Airport bosses have predicted that Galway’s newly launched link to London Southend will mark the start of a brighter future for the facility, which has been under increasing financial pressure in the aftermath of the Government’s decision to withdraw its support for subsidised fares.
Management at Galway Airport say the new air route will, in time, increase the Carnmore facility’s connectivity with major European regional and hub airports such as Amsterdam and Charles de Gaulle, Paris – and that, they say, will create new opportunities in terms of business links to new destinations as well as opening up new tourism markets with direct access to Galway.
Aer Arann’s first flight from Galway Airport to Southend London took to the skies on Sunday – the Irish airline will operate direct flights four times a week, with three days via Waterford.
There will be two return flights each day, morning and evening, between Galway and London Southend with direct flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. On the other three days each week flights will operate via Waterford.
The flight time is about one hour 50 minutes and when a new terminal and rail station is completed at Southend by the end of this year, the train commute into London Liverpool Street station will be approximately 50 minutes.
The new route opens up the whole east coast of England and the greater London area for passengers flying direct from Galway but also has huge potential for local businesses as well as tourism interests, according to Galway Airport manager Joe Walsh.
It will also offer great opportunities for Galway people to fly direct to the airport, which is situated just miles – and one train station hop away – from Stratford, the heart of the London Olympics 2012.
“There are large Irish populations on the east coast of England, in places like Brentwood and Colchester and now there is a direct flight into Galway, which opens up new tourism markets and opportunities,” said Mr Walsh.
“It is a new London airport, that was in use in the World War II days and has been used as a maintenance airport since but now we are the first scheduled service they have.’’
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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