Waterford Airport (IATA Airport Code: WAT), also known as the South East Regional Airport, is located near Waterford on the south-east coast of the Republic of Ireland. It is close to Tramore Bay, about 8 kilometres (five miles) from Waterford city centre. Aer Arann is the only scheduled airline using the airport. 35,500 passengers flew to and from Waterford with Aer Arann in the 13-month period prior to July 12, 2004. Passenger traffic through the airport exceeded 55,000 for the 2004 year.

Airport development was initiated by Waterford Corporation with Irish Government and private support in 1979–1980. The investment was £1.76 million. The airport opened in 1981 with a 1,200-metre long, 29-metre wide runway for single and twin-engine light aircraft and a Portacabin as terminal building.

Avair provided the first domestic passenger service between Cork, Waterford and Dublin, in 1993. Ryanair began operations in Waterford, flying to London Gatwick, before upgrading and switching the service to London. At various times, services have been provided by Manx Airlines , later to become British Regional Airlines , Suckling Airways , Emerald Airways , British Airways Express , and in 2001, Euroceltic Airways .

Waterford Aero Club is based at the airport. The Irish Coastguard Service also has a helicopter based here providing marine rescue cover. The Pilot Training College of Ireland flight training organisation, approved by the Irish Aviation Authority, and carrying out commercial pilot training is based here. Pilot training forms a major part of the day-to-day activity at the airport. In the period from January to June 2004, the airport had a total of 8,713 plane departures and arrivals, 5,564 of which related to flight training.

Airlines and destinations

The following scheduled airline uses Waterford Airport (as of January 2005):

• Aer Arann to London Luton, Lorient and Manchester

Airport data

• Aerodrome licensed for: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Category A & B aircraft
• ICAO RFF: Category 2, with Category 4 available on request
• Aerodrome elevation: 36.3 m (119 ft)
• Runways: Asphalt (PCN 12-15) RWY03 and RWY21
• Take off distance available: 1,433 m (4,701 ft), for both runways
• Landing distance available:
  • RWY03 1,343 m (4,406 ft)
  • RWY21 1,290 m (4,232 ft)
• Waterford tower: 129.85 MHz
• Waterford information: 129.85 MHz
• Navigation aids: ILS (RWY 21) Cat 1 110.9 MHz IWD, DME (Zero range THR RWY 21) 110.9 MHz IWD, NDB (DOC 15nm) 368 KHz WTD

See also

• Airports of the World
• Waterford

External links

• Waterford Airport
• Pilot Training College Ireland