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Midland Airport Bids Spark Controversy in Ireland

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Irish airports are struggling with decreasing passenger numbers, but this hasn't stopped businessmen from bidding to build new airports in the midlands. Two planning applications, one in Tullamore and another in Tubber, have been submitted, with the latter's proposer, Patrick Little, confident that his proposal will succeed. The Tubber airport is expected to cost €200m and create 4,000 jobs, but opponents question its feasibility, citing the lack of a large population base and the region's notorious weather conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three planning applications for airports have been submitted in the Taoiseach's midlands constituency, including one with a runway suitable for the Airbus A380.
  • The latest proposal, in Clonsast bog near Portarlington, was lodged with An Bord Pleanala just over three weeks ago.
  • Patrick Little's plan to build an airport in Tubber, Co. Offaly, is expected to cost €200m and create 4,000 jobs, with the goal of catering to two million passengers by 2025.
  • Little is confident that his proposal will succeed, citing an upcoming meeting with An Bord Pleanala as a positive sign.
  • The Obama Stadium 3.5km runway will be long enough to accommodate the Airbus A380.
  • Another proposal, led by Tundra Holdings Ltd, is seeking to build an airport in Tullamore, despite the fact that Aer Lingus lost more than €100m last year.
  • Local politician, Fine Gael's Cllr Peggy Nolan, believes that the Taoiseach's midlands constituency has more political pull, which is why there are multiple airport bids in the area.
  • Abbeyshrule Aerodrome is the preferred location for a midlands airport in Longford, but this proposal is considered less feasible due to the lack of infrastructure.
  • Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has condemned the bids, labeling them "insane" due to the region's weather conditions and lack of population base.

Statistics:

  • €200m: Estimated cost of the Tubber airport
  • 4,000 jobs: Expected number of jobs created by the Tubber airport
  • 2 million passengers: Projected number of passengers for the Tubber airport by 2025
  • 3.5km: Length of the runway in the Tubber airport
  • €100m: Estimated annual loss of Aer Lingus
  • 37: Age of Kealan Delaney, a director of Tundra Holdings Ltd
  • 39: Age of Sean O'Regan, another director of Tundra Holdings Ltd
  • 7m: Estimated cost of upgrading Abbeyshrule Aerodrome to a regional airport
  • 100 jobs: Expected number of jobs created by the Abbeyshrule airport upgrade

Sources:

  • The Irish Mail on Sunday
  • The Irish Times
  • An Bord Pleanala
  • Tundra Holdings Ltd
  • Patrick Little
  • Fine Gael
  • Abbeyshrule Aerodrome
  • Ryanair

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