THERE was a seven per cent increase in the number of passengers passing through Kerry Airport in 2013, it has been confirmed.
A total of 306,042 used the Farranfore facility last year compared to 286,442 the previous year, according to the airport’s annual report which was released this Monday.
Importantly, there was also growth in the key Kerry-Dublin route with a six per cent increase in passengers.
“Hopes are high that Transport Minister Leo Varadkar will soon approve the lifeline Public Service Obligation support for the Kerry/Dublin route.”
Statistics for the London and Frankfurt routes also made impressive reading with growth of seven per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
The operating performance for the year showed a loss of €82,112 but it was still a better result than in 2012 when losses amounted to €168,330.
Gross turnover for the year was €6.3 million which represented an increase on the €5.7 million in 2012.
The airport retained a small profit, before taxation, of €24,385, which
Where it all began: A meeting at the Pitch and Putt Clubhouse in Castleisland in 1968 to plan the building of an airport in Kerry. Included are from left: Michael J. O’Connor, Solicitor, Killarney; DD Twomey, Solicitor, Castleisland; Austin Stack, acting county manager and first secretary of the airport compeny; James O’Callaghan, KCC engineer; Jack B.D. O’Sullivan, Con Healy, Michael Hennebery, Tralee; John McSweeney, building contractor, Castleisland ; Tom Ryle, first chairman of the airport company; Tim Murphy, Castleisland; John O’Donoghue, Farranfore; Sean WH O’Connor, Castleisland; Ned O’Mahony, Dr. Paddy Daly, Farranfore and Cllr. Bill Dennehy, Currow.
was up on the previous year by €3,083.
Hopes are high that Transport Minister Leo Varadkar will soon approve the lifeline Public Service Obligation support for the Kerry/Dublin route.
Aer Arann, now operating as Aer Lingus Regional, took over the PSO route in November 2011 and holds the contract until September 2014.
The Kerry Airport plc annual general meeting will be held in the Earl Of Desmond Hotel, Tralee on Thursday, June 12.
