Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway County Councillors have unanimously passed a motion stating that any proposed use of Galway Airport for an air service to the Aran Islands is not currently permitted.
A special meeting took place at County Hall this afternoon to discuss the future of the islands’ air service amid recent controversy.
Up to 20 politicians from across Galway recently visited the islands for a series of meetings aimed at saving the existing service.
Under a new contract, it’s understood that daily return flights by helicopter are to be provided between the Aran Islands and Galway Airport in Carnmore.
The contract for the service was due to be signed earlier this month, but the existing Aer Arann contract from Na Minne airport in Inverin has now been extended until February.
The motion passed at today’s meeting notes that the council has sought Expressions of Interest for the short term use of the Carnmore site, and these are currently being examined.
Any proposed lease of the site after December 2015 will be brought before Galway City and County Councillors for consideration.
The motion states that therefore, any proposed use of the Carnmore site for an air service to the Aran Islands for the proposed tender period is not currently permitted.
County Cathaoirleach Peter Roche says until the current contract at Carnmore runs out in December, there’ll be no change to operations out of Galway Airport.