A formal request has been lodged with the Galway County Council that the airstrip at Galway Airport be retained as “there is no possibility” of a suitable site being found for another airstrip “so close to the city ever again”.
This is the view of Independent county councillor Jim Cuddy, who has contacted Kevin Kelly, the interim CEO of Galway County Council, to formally request the airstrip be retained.
The airport was purchased by the Galway city and county councils in 2013 for €1.1 million. The airport remains in public ownership, but the only aviation licence is held by Galway Flying Club which operates out of the airport. While there has not been any commercial aviation activity on the site, Cllr Cuddy believes a city of Galway’s size, and “with such a strong economic and cultural reputation”, requires a regional airport.
“If we allow the site to be developed or the airstrip to be removed, there is no possibility of a suitable site being found for another airstrip so close to the city ever again,” he said. “Unfortunately the decision on the future of the airport is an executive decision with the elected councillors having no say. However, there may be a time in the future when the airport will become viable for executive travel or tourism and I believe it should be retained as an airstrip by the two local authorities.”
