|
|
 |
You are > Home > Kerry Airport finally realises its full potential but €8m is needed
|
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Kerry Airport finally realises its full potential but €8m is needed
By; Donal Hickey
A FEW years ago, the first transatlantic flight into Kerry Airport was greeted with fanfare and seen as the beginning of new era for the facility, which was then struggling.
The airport has seen a dramatic rise in passenger throughput – 300,000 last year – but the transatlantic element of its business has not taken off, if you’ll pardon a pun.
This despite the fact that Kerry Airport has a runway capable of taking 757 aircraft. But Transport Minister Seamus Brennan is now suggesting that a transatlantic charter business should be developed.
A direct service between the US and Kerry would be a definite boost to tourism. Just look at the success of the Kerry/Frankfurt service, which is bringing in well over 100,000 German visitors per year.
Like the other regional airports, Kerry needs Government grant aid to survive and Mr Brennan said he was committed to maintaining that level of support, totalling €22.6m, which goes to private airlines, such as Aer Arann, and in marketing grants to the airports.
But, he stressed the need for developing new services out of the six airports, pointing to transatlantic possibilities for Kerry.
In order to grow, Kerry Airport needs to further develop facilities to cater for increasing passenger numbers, including baggage handling and the arrivals hall, to mention just some. The cost of this urgent programme is around €8m.
It has taken a long time, but Kerry Airport is now beginning to realise its potential. Over the years, great effort has been expended in developing its facilities, involving an investment of well over €10m.
Former Kerry Group managing director Denis Brosnan oversaw a massive work programme during his term as chairman of the airport board.
And it’s not just a tourist facility. Many Kerry people now regularly use the airport, especially for daily business flights to Dublin. With roads becoming ever more congested, it will be even more useful in the future.
Recently, Cork/Kerry Tourism chief executive Maura Moynihan also highlighted the value of the airport.
The latest Kerry tourist survey found that 12 per cent of visitors now come to Kerry via the airport, compared to three per cent in 1997.
However, Dublin continues to be the main point of entry for tourists that come to Kerry, a third of whom come through Dublin Airport. That’s twice as many as come through Shannon Airport.
Main News Page |
Previous Page
|
|
|
|
