Waterford Airport.

notharrypotter · 10-05-2021 05:36PM

Harry Palmr wrote: »

R117 quietly does life saving work most weeks if we lose it there will be deaths that otherwise would not have occurred. Flying in from Cork or Dublin does not cut it when you're sinking off Hook head.

Nor does it cut it if you are flying from Waterford to Ballycotton.
Yours is a pointless reference designed to emotivate the discussion.

friendlyfun · 10-05-2021 06:03PM

Could do with an airport with the amount of young people who will probably emigrate soon.

10-05-2021 07:59PM

Harry Palmr wrote: »

R117 quietly does life saving work most weeks if we lose it there will be deaths that otherwise would not have occurred. Flying in from Cork or Dublin does not cut it when you're sinking off Hook head.

I'm all for R117 and Waterford Airport but the same could be said for someone in trouble off Baltimore or kinsale, so I don't think that argument will cut it.

They argument will need to be how many boats are within an x radius, this was the fight the last time and it worked really well.

How many rescues and call outs happen per area. Once the bulk of them are off south east Coast, mountains etc then it's a no brainer to keep it located in Waterford

Muttley79 · 24-06-2021 06:15PM

https://www.wlrfm.com/2021/06/24/waterford-airport-in-danger-of-collapsing-and-dying-if-funding-for-runway-extension-isnt-secured
Typical answer from government.nobody still knows if it's yay or nay

hardybuck · 24-06-2021 07:13PM

Muttley79 wrote: »

https://www.wlrfm.com/2021/06/24/waterford-airport-in-danger-of-collapsing-and-dying-if-funding-for-runway-extension-isnt-secured
Typical answer from government.nobody still knows if it's yay or nay

I'd be more concerned about one of the private investors pulling out about 18 months ago.

24-06-2021 07:13PM

No government minister is going to put their name to funding a runway extension in an airport that hasn't had commerical flights since 2016, after all there is no guarantee you extend the runway and you get commerical flights.

Post covid what minister is going to provide competition to Cork and Dublin Airport?

Local politician's and TDs, should have been pushing to have Aer Lingus Regional operate from regional airports rather than having ATR42/72 aircraft operating between Dublin and the UK.

Rather than focusing on the issues such as University and Airport, our TDs and councillors placed all their faith in the NQs as they believed if the NQs delivered the University and Airport would follow..

Explore the option of EU PSO funding in order to make a service from a regional airport in Ireland to the UK (Brexit might have ruined that option)

Now we have North Quays up in the air, a watered down Uni (basically a rebranding) and an airport that looks to have no future, thankfully SAR services remain as if that goes that would spell the end of the airport

hardybuck · 24-06-2021 07:26PM

It's going to take years before international travel returns to the way it was, adding extra capacity at the moment doesn't make sense.

Added to the fact that the project doesn't have planning permission, and the consortium of private investors may have dissolved, the price of the construction has probably gone up an extra €4-5m with the current shortages of materials.

Best case scenario I think is for this project to get planning sometime this year, and for a project to commence in the next 2-3 years.

road_high · 25-06-2021 10:02AM

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/other/it-will-wither-on-the-vine-concern-over-future-of-waterford-airport-as-government-pulls-emergency-funding/ar-AALq0wf?ocid=msedgntp

IanVW · 29-09-2021 01:50PM

Anyone else notice a flight departing every couple of days I think it's Logan air. When I tracked today it looks like a flight from Waterford to Aberdeen

Wanderer78 · 29-09-2021 01:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117954067#Comment_117954067

thought i spotted something alright, wonder what the craic is there

IanVW · 29-09-2021 01:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117954075#Comment_117954075

Seen the same plane taking off last week also. I'm not sure

Taxburden carrier · 29-09-2021 03:37PM

LM891. Seems to go on Tuesdays

Jambo · 29-09-2021 03:44PM

Looks like a private charter, likely taking project personnel / crew from Aberdeen to Waterford to be then transferred via Heli to the Stena Spey and project vessels working on the Kinsale Gas decommissioning project.

sudocremegg · 29-09-2021 03:56PM

Cork airport is closed currently. Oilrig operations have been moved to Waterford for the time being.

Bhoy1967 · 14-10-2021 01:14PM

Was the planning permission for the runway extension ever granted by An Bord Planala?

Deiseen · 19-10-2021 10:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118019073#Comment_118019073

No

30-10-2021 10:35AM

Looks like a few months for the planning decision

https://waterford-news.ie/2021/10/29/cllrs-express-frustration-at-waterford-airport-silence/

road_high · 11-01-2022 04:48PM

This true? Appears they might be reducing the number of rescue helicopter bases?

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/news/fears-grow-for-life-saving-wexford-rescue-helicopter-service-41216861.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=seeding

blackwhite · 11-01-2022 05:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118456236#Comment_118456236

From https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ed653-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-sar-aviation-project/

The PQQ states that the minimum requirement is three helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft on standby for Coast Guard aviation tasking. This is a minimum requirement for aircraft on standby, bidders can propose more. The number of bases and their location are not specified and proposals will be reviewed on their merits in relation to their ability to respond in a timely manner. Section 1.5 of the PQQ states “The precise number and location of bases have not been set as minimum requirements. It will be a matter for Tenderers at Stage 2 and later to propose a suitable configuration of bases”.

It's a minimum of 3 aircraft. No number of bases specified.

From what I can garner from the document, it's up to the tendering company to propose the bases and number of craft in order to meet the service level requirements of being able to reach any point under their responsibility within a minimum timeframe. Struggling to see how any bidder will manage to keep the same level of coverage if they try and merge any 2 of Dublin, Waterford, Shannon or Sligo.

Cosmo Kramer · 12-01-2022 08:25AM

Merging Shannon and Waterford into a single base at Cork would seem the obvious way to do it. Then you have a base on the east coast, a base on the south coast and a base on the west coast.

Wanderer78 · 12-01-2022 11:48AM

this seems to pop up every time theres a contract renewal, air ambulance are also trying to increase their state funding, we clearly need all of these services!

Masala · 12-01-2022 11:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118459337#Comment_118459337

... ooohhh

I'll get the popcorn in!!!

road_high · 12-01-2022 03:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118459337#Comment_118459337

No way- as someone in Kilkenny cork is way too far for us and for most of the south east and east coast. Defeats the purpose of a rapid helicopter service. Cork can be adequately served by bases in Waterford for east cork and Shannon for the rest. Waterford is an ideal location and close to the busier sea routes up and down the Irish Sea

Valhalla90 · 13-01-2022 10:30AM

Still no decision from An Bord Pleanala on the runway extension it was due to be decided February 2021, it all looks like a collective effort to finish off the airport for good!

Deiseen · 13-01-2022 11:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118466000#Comment_118466000

This absolutely stinks.

Rustyman101 · 13-01-2022 10:06PM

Remember people Waterford must learn to share! Big Phil FG.

Pretty soon there won't be anything to share !

hardybuck · 14-01-2022 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118466000#Comment_118466000

Regardless of a decision, I can't see this investment going ahead. Looks like they'll need new investors, the cost of construction has rocketed, and the demand for flights has plummeted.

Dunmoreroader · 14-01-2022 01:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118472374#Comment_118472374

The EU are fully committed to supporting small Regional airports through the exceptional circumstances brought on by the Pandemic ;https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2021/689346/EPRS_BRI(2021)689346_EN.pdf

If Waterford Airport folds, it will not be for the lack of availability of short-term finance to see it through current hard times or the lack of a long-term viable business plan, it has one. It will be down to it's enemies, 80 miles to the Southwest and their friends in high office both elected and permanent, steering Government to let WAT wither on the vine through a series of negative policy decisions (SAR helicopter contract terms of reference) or lack of proactive policy decisions ( constricting short-term funding, not supporting the runway extension).

We've seen it all before with WIT and UHW, to name but two. It's a well worn playbook in Langerland.

Dunmoreroader · 14-01-2022 01:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118472374#Comment_118472374

Demand for flights plummeting is a short-term issue for all airports and airlines. we will still need to get off this island to do business and go on holiday when the Pandemic abates and all the Zoom meetings, staycations and Green anti-flying agendas in the world is not going to stop that.

hardybuck · 14-01-2022 01:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118473540#Comment_118473540

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118473455#Comment_118473455

Whatever about what public funding might available, I think there's genuine doubts about whether the private investment is still there. At least one of the proposed backers appears to have pulled out.

While I think it'd be nice to have the option of an airport there, you've got to wonder how they'd be able to make it work anytime soon. You're looking to add extra capacity to a sector that doesn't need it.

I think the best outcome in light of the current challenges facing the sector is work commencing in the next 1-2 years and completing in the next 3 or so years - when additional demand might actually be there.

I know I've mentioned it here before, but I think the airport dodged a bullet by not finishing work on an extension a couple of years ago and it lying idle as a white elephant. I think that situation would have killed the airport off completely, but I'm glad that this has been avoided.

Waterford Airport.

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