Viability report on airport site nearing completion

Galway City Council is still awaiting a consultant’s report on the future usage of the Galway Airport site at Carnmore – it is understood that several submissions have been made from interested parties.

Since last summer, the airport has been leased by a company called Carnmore Aviation Ltd, a subsidiary of the Weston private airport near Dublin – accommodating private flights, the local flying club and the Coast Guard.

Mayor of Galway, Cllr Donal Lyons, told the Galway City Tribune that the Carnmore Airport site (c. 115 acres) was a prime location offering many potential choices.

“The construction of the M17/18 motorway will mean that the city will be only about threequarters of an hour from Shannon – another international airport in Galway would not be an option,” said Mayor Lyons.

He said that over recent months there had been a number of expressions of interest in projects for the site, including one from the local film industry.

“The reality of the situation at present is that both Galway City Council and the County Council are awaiting a report on the future viability and options for the site. Our next step is to get this report and to consider it in detail,” said Mayor Lyons.

A spokesman for the City Council said that the report on the site, being carried out by Future Analytics Ltd, was due to be presented to both Councils “very shortly”.

“This report will be examined closely by both local authorities and after that they should be in a position to make recommendations as to the future direction of the site,” said City Council spokesman.

Last summer, Carnmore Aviation – owned by a Balllinasloe based company, Conneely Engineering – took an 11 month lease on the airport site that’s due to expire over the coming months.

Carnmore Aviation is understood to be anxious to develop the airport site as a major European centre for the training and up-skilling of pilots, at a location where air space is relatively clear.

The airport site was purchased by Galway County Council and Galway City Council from the Chamber of Commerce in late 2013 for €1.1m.