FUTURE OF GALWAY AIRPORT UNCERTAIN AS GOVERNMENT TO PULL FUNDING

Date Published: 06-Feb-2009

The future of Galway Airport could be uncertain following an announcement by Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey that state subsidies could "no longer be justified" to regional airports.A transport policy document published yesterday states that Public Service Obligation funding to airports along the West coast is to be reviewed.The PSO routes are mostly operated by Aer Arann and are understood to be a lifeline to many airports, including Galway.Minister Dempsey says there is less need for air travel now because of improvements in inter-city rail services.The Government provides around 15 million euro each year for State-sponsored air routes.Minister Dempsey says when the current round of funding finishes in 2 years time, it's unlikely many PSO routes will be continued.