Ireland West Airport has welcomed recent endorsements and strong support from communities and organisations around the west and northwest regions for the airport.
Strong expressions of support have being voiced by organisations across the region in recent weeks including leading companies from around the region pledging their backing for the airport following the recent announcement in January by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to undertake a detailed strategic study of the potential for the airport with a date for completion by the end of May 2013. The airport is currently working alongside the Government to finalise the structure and terms of reference for this study.
Almost 30 businesses from around the region have met with the airport management in a show of solidarity and recognition of its vital role for business and the region. The support from business people follows recent motions of support passed by county councils in Roscommon, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, and Mayo endorsing the airport’s future plans and the importance of the airport to the west and northwest of Ireland.
Prominent regional development organisations Council for the West and the Western Development Commission have also put on public record their support for the airport, highlighting the critical importance of the airport from a regional development perspective and the substantial contribution the airport makes to the economy of the western region, while welcoming news of the strategic study being undertaken by Government to support the airport’s development plans.
Commenting on recent developments, Liam Scollan, chairman of Ireland West Airport Knock said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive support and backing we have received from a multitude of organisations from across the region who recognise the development potential at Ireland West Airport Knock and the importance and vital role this airport plays for the western region. I would like on behalf of the airport to express our gratitude to the region as a whole for their support to date. With the commencement of the study group work in the coming weeks we are confident that the support of the region will help ensure the airport’s future is brighter than ever and that our future plans for developing the airport are endorsed and supported by Government.”