Multi-million euro investment planned for Ireland West Airport
By Tom Gillespie
TWO long awaited sheltered walkways are about to come into operation at Ireland West Airport.
The lack of such facilities was highlighted in a recent survey by the marketing department at the airport.
Airport managing director Mr. Joe Gilmore explained: “The provision of sheltered walkways, which were top of the list for many people, are now in process. Work commenced on them before Christmas and they will be in service shortly.”
Passenger growth forecast for 2025, he said, looks positive following the announcement of a new inbound tourism service from Groningen, Netherlands, which commences in June for three months initially with leading Dutch tour operator BBI Travel.
He added: “Indications are that bookings are very strong for Dutch visitors. In addition, Ryanair will increase capacity at the airport by approximately 10 and 15 per cent in 2025, adding capacity to popular services to Alicante, Malaga and Faro.
“This will be welcome news for sun holiday travellers from across the region.”
Last year saw continued investment in the airport’s transformation programme, with several infrastructural projects completed during 2024 aimed at maintaining the highest international safety and security standards and modernising the airport’s facilities to meet the future needs of both airline customers and passengers.
Mr. Gilmore continued: “In total, with the support of the Department of Transport, almost €7,000,000 was invested in undertaking safety, security and infrastructural projects at the airport in 2024. We spent €2.5 million on the upgrading of the electrical infrastructure, we purchased two new fire tenders and electrical security patrol vehicles. We carried out upgrades and maintenance of the runway.
“We started the first phase of a new fire training centre that is going to be built at the far end of the runway - a €3 million project - and it will be competed over the next two years.
“Also we are in the initial stages of the development of a solar farm.
“Passengers will also see further improvement on the whole retail and catering side as well.
“Over the next two to three years we have plans to spend between €30 and €40 million in terms of upgrades, subject to continued support from the government.
“We are looking forward to engaging with the new Transport Minister, Darragh O’Brien, and the Junior Minister, Sean Canney, and our two local appointed Ministers Dara Calleary and Alan Dillon.”
Mr. Gilmore went on: "The main focus will be the current funding programme that we have been under - the Regional Airports Programme. That is due for review this year as the current phase finished this year. We are hopeful that they will roll it over for at least another five years.
“Hopefully the planned apron expansion will go ahead over the next three years and we have applied for funding for it.”