Could regular flights return to airport near South Kilkenny?

Councillors in South Kilkenny have called on the local authority to write to the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien in support of Waterford Airport in its endeavours to secure vital funding to progress its capabilities for air passengers in the South-East region.

As it stands, the regional airport does not have passenger services but continues to pursue the reinstatement of services.

In a joint motion penned by councillors; Ger Frisby, Jenny Catt Slattery, Pat Dunphy, Fidelis Doherty and Tomás Breathnach, the elected officials argued an appropriate funding allocation and the services said funding could allow the airport to provide would be of economic development to Kilkenny and enable business and tourism growth locally.

READ NEXT: 'This is a crisis' - Fears over Kilkenny childcare shortages 

The local representatives were also critical at the lack of government focus on the issue.

"Not a thought is being passed on it by the government at the moment," Cllr Pat Dunphy claimed.

"We need to keep at them and do the best we can," he added.

Fellow South Kilkenny councillor Fidelis Doherty concurred, stating: "It’s going back a long number of years."

Meanwhile, Cllr Tomás Breathnach said the matter was a 'strong regional issue', stating, "we need international connectivity, without which we’re at an extreme disadvantage in the region."

The Labour councillor also highlighted the damaging environmental consequences the lack of an adequate airport in the South East region.

"Everyone in the South East needs to support this," he continued.

The motion received universal backing from councillors around the county.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE