Oldest flying club in the land want Galway runway retained

THE FUTURE prospects of Ireland’s oldest flying club could be in doubt should the runway at Galway Airport not be maintained.

Galway Flying Club was set up back in 1946 and they will celebrate their 80th anniversary later this year. The airport in Carnmore has been their home since 1975, having earlier operated from a separate airstrip in Oranmore.

But with Galway County and City Council seeking to sell the 118-acre Galway Airport site, which they jointly purchased in 2013, the runway may soon cease to exist. This would have a huge effect on the flying club, who are the only current tenants at the airport. The flying club's lease sees them paying €11,000 per month to the councils.

“It would be an absolute shame to just bulldoze and dismantle the runway,” Galway Flying Club Vice Chairperson John McGinley told The Tuam Herald.

“We are a club with a proud history of winning national awards and titles and can boast to being the country’s oldest flying club. It would be hugely disappointing to lose our home during what is our 80th year in existence.”

Galway Flying Club is made up of around 100 members who come from all walks of life. They share a common bond in their love of aviation.

Team of volunteers

The club operates two modern four seater Cessna aircrafts. A dedicated team of volunteer instructors give up their free time throughout the year to pass their knowledge and skills onto student pilots.

However, they are not a professional flight school that can cater to people who want careers as pilots. Instead, they are a place for aviation enthusiasts looking for a new pastime.

“Our members are the people in the small planes you see buzzing around the skies of Galway. We are very active in the summer months and at most weekends too,” commented club secretary Susan Baird.

“Flying for us is just like going out golfing or sailing for others. It is our hobby, and we want to protect and continue enjoying our passion. But losing the runway would be a huge blow for all involved with the club.”

Galway Flying Club have worked with both councils since they bought the airport sitein 2013, two years after commercial flights ceased.

Having rarely used the site, both local authorities have spent the past year seeking expressions of interest from people or groups looking to utilise the airports facilities or purchase the site. Of the six bidders, none came from the aviation industry.

Vice Chairperson John McGinley was involved in the club when the runway was expanded in the 1980s, after both county and city councillors fought to improve the airport’s facilities and capacity.

While unlikely to ever compete with Knock or Shannon Airport, he believes the runway can still be a huge asset for the region and provide non-commercial aviation services.

“I can’t really get my head around dismantling a vital resource for the region, something which people fought so hard to get built. I really hope the councils consider keeping the site or making sure the runway is retained,” added John.

“People just think about the commercial side of a runway, but it has so many other uses such as for coastal guard search and rescue, medevac flights, even the military could use it. It would be hugely suitable for the Irish Air Force on the west coast.”