Slow progress on airpstrip leaves Bofin jet set plan grounded

There are around 60 pilots across Ireland and Britain who would readily fly into Inishbofin if the airstrip was completed – making it the jet set capital of Western Europe in the process.

While the landing strip has been completed, there are no works on providing a terminal building at the airport and until this happens, it cannot be brought into operation.

Planning permission was granted for the terminal buildings at both Inishbofin and Clifden airstrips more than six months ago but there has been no movement on the provision of the necessary infrastructure to facilitate planes landing at either destination.

However, Deputy Sean Kyne confirmed to the Connacht Tribune that the Department of the Environment were working on the design and costings of terminal buildings for both airstrips.

Deputy Kyne said that this process would be completed by the end of April and added that he would then be making strong representations to have works proceed at both destinations.

He said that the airstrips would provide a huge boost to tourism both on ‘Bofin and West Connemara as well as facilitating the needs of those living in both areas.

Inishbofin native Michael Cloonan said that he couldn’t understand why there was such a delay in progressing the airstrip on the island.Mr Cloonan, who lives in Luton and returns to the island at least once a year, said that he knew of almost 60 pilots who fly into ‘Bofin on a regular basis and this alone would generate a lot of income for the local economy.

He said the area around the airstrip had become overgrown and even the perimiter fencing was looking “the worse for wear”.It was revealed last year that the airstrip on Inishbofin will be marketed to such an extent that flying clubs across Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe will use the island as both a holiday and adventure destination.

The airstrip has the potential of generating millions of euro in tourism revenue on an annual basis and could even attract some of the continent’s wealthy jet set.

It was hoped that both the airstrips near Clifden and Inishbofin would be operational by the beginning of summer but this is unlikely to be the case as it is not clear when the terminals will actually be built.

Galway West TD Eamon Ó Cuív said that it was vital for the success of these airstrips that there would be a service from Inverin, from where flights to the three Aran Islands are currently provided.

And he added that the nature of the airstrip on Inishbofin would make it very accessible for amateur pilots and believed that there was a major tourist market to be tapped into in this regard.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.