Waterford Airport

What Waterford Airport does

Waterford Airport is a privately held, publicly registered regional airport (Waterford Regional Airport plc, later Waterford Airport Limited, Reg. No. 79477) located at Killowen, County Waterford, Ireland. Established in 1981, it is the only commercial airport serving Ireland's Southeast region — a catchment covering counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, and Tipperary with roughly 500,000 residents. Its physical infrastructure comprises a 1,433-metre runway (Runway 03/21) equipped with an ILS approach to Runway 21 and an NDB approach to Runway 03, a Class C controlled airspace requiring continuous ATC two-way communication, fuelling (Jet A1 and Avgas), and a 200-space car park adjacent to the terminal.

The airport's business is structured around three pillars: scheduled passenger services (currently inactive, with the most recent operator VLM Airlines ceasing in 2016), an on-site Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-92 search-and-rescue base (the second-busiest SAR base in Ireland, operating 24/7 under CHC on behalf of the state), and general aviation including flight training, pilot schools, balloon operations, helicopter pleasure flights, and on-site MRO tenants such as Shamrock Aviation. It generates revenue from landing fees (€15 flat for aircraft under 1,500kg MTOW; €25 per 1,000kg above that), aircraft parking, passenger and freight handling, GPU services, car parking, and terminal advertising, supplemented by state operational and capital funding under Ireland's Regional Airports Programme (€42.5m approved by the European Commission across four regional airports for 2015-2019).

The company's history illustrates a chronic single-carrier dependency — Ryanair, Manx Airlines, British Regional Airlines, Suckling Airways, Euroceltic, Aer Arann, Aer Lingus Regional, Flybe, and VLM Airlines have each launched and subsequently withdrawn services, with each loss materially impacting passenger throughput. The airport reached a peak of over 100,000 passengers in 2008 but currently operates without scheduled passenger flights while preserving SAR, general aviation, and ground-service operations and actively pursuing carrier reinstatement. The board comprises William Bolster, David Scully, and Secretary Brooke Seims, with no parent company, venture backing, or subsidiaries disclosed.

Name

Waterford Airport

Legal name

Waterford Airport Limited

Website

https://flywaterford.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Waterford Airport is a privately held regional airport in County Waterford, Ireland, serving as the only air connectivity point for the Southeast region. It operates general aviation, an on-site Irish Coast Guard SAR base, and ground services, but currently has no scheduled passenger flights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Airport Services

NAICS

Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Airside Access Control & Perimeter Security (BPAKAMAC)

Keywords

• Regional airport services
• Air traffic control
• Search and rescue
• Passenger handling
• Airport ground services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterford

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Landing Fees: Fees charged to aircraft operators for landing at the airport. Non-based aircraft under 1,500kg pay €15, above 1,500kg pay €25 per 1,000kg.
2. Aircraft Parking: Charges for aircraft parking based on MTOW, ranging from €3/hour to €15/hour depending on aircraft weight.
3. Passenger Handling: €12 per inbound passenger and €12 per outbound passenger handling charge.
4. Freight Handling: Handling charge of €200 plus €0.20 per kilo, plus forklift/driver and belt loader fees.
5. Ground Power Unit: €60 per half hour for GPU services.
6. Advertising: Advertising light boxes available in terminal building, arrivals hall and departures lounge.
7. State Funding: Operational and capital expenditure support from Irish government under Regional Airports Programme. European Commission approved €42.5m investment across four regional airports (2015-2019).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Waterford Airport is the only commercial airport in Ireland's Southeast region, operating a 1,433m runway with ILS and NDB approach capability under Class C controlled airspace. It provides airport infrastructure and air traffic control for airline operators, hosts the Irish Coast Guard 24/7 Sikorsky S-92 search and rescue base, and offers passenger handling, technical/pilot information, car parking, ground transport links, advertising, and special assistance services. Scheduled passenger services are currently not active while the airport pursues reinstatement of carriers.

Product overview

Waterford Airport is a regional airport serving the South East of Ireland. The airport's core offerings include passenger flight services (currently non-operational), pilot flight booking and technical information, air navigation services (ATC, flight charts, weather), and Irish Coast Guard search and rescue operations. Ground services encompass car parking, transportation connections, and special assistance. The airport also provides commercial advertising opportunities. In 2011, the airport launched an Online Technology Suite including mobile website, online check-in, live flight information, and free WiFi. The airport's business on-site includes Shamrock Aviation for aircraft repair, International Academy of Travel for training, and Adventure001 for helicopter experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Passenger Services Airport passenger handling and terminal services including check-in, boarding, terminal facilities and access services for inbound and outbound passengers. Customers: airline passengers travelling through Waterford.
• Search and Rescue Operations (Coast Guard SAR Base)

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached 100,000+ annual passengers milestone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Maynooth UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018Led drone technology R&D project at Waterford Airport as test location, partnering with Airbus, Irelandia Aviation and other industry partners. Minister John Halligan announced €6.3m SFI project.
• AirbusminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018Partner in drone technology R&D project led by Maynooth University at Waterford Airport.
• Irelandia AviationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018Partner in drone technology R&D project led by Maynooth University at Waterford Airport.
• Fáilte IrelandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2015Tourism body collaboration on Ireland's Ancient East brand. Fáilte Ireland worked with airport to develop storytelling for visitors passing through.
• Irish Coast Guard / CHC (Coast Guard Helicopter)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-92 rescue helicopter based at Waterford Airport in purpose-built hangar. Provides 24/7, 365-day SAR coverage for south and southeast coast, ferry routes into Rosslare, and fishing grounds. CHC is the Coast Guard's operating company.
• Wexford Festival OperaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2011Tourism partnership offering Aer Arann discounted flights and courtesy shuttle bus from airport to festival. Partnership to increase visitor numbers to South East region.
• Kilkenny Arts FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2011Official Airport Partner sponsorship. Festival draws 25,000+ visitors. Airport supports driving visitors to South East region.
• Enterprise Car HireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar rental company that collects customers at Waterford Airport.
• South East Car and Van HireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal car rental company that collects customers at Waterford Airport.
• EuropcarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar rental available in Waterford City, collects customers from airport.
• HertzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar rental available in Waterford City, collects customers from airport.
• Pilot Training College IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished training base at Waterford Airport in 2003 for pilot training operations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Newquay Airport: UK regional airport serving a peripheral, tourism-driven catchment with a similar mix of scheduled services, flight training, and SAR-related operations. Closely comparable in terms of catchment economics and reliance on inbound tourism flow.
• Isle of Man Airport: Regional airport serving an island/peripheral catchment with limited but protected scheduled connectivity. Similar in scale, regulatory positioning, and dependence on regional and government support for viability.
• Ireland West Airport Knock: One of the four EU-designated Irish regional airports. Serves a similarly peripheral catchment with a mix of scheduled, charter, and general aviation, and shares the same Regional Airports Programme funding framework as Waterford.
• Cardiff Airport: UK regional airport of broadly similar scale, with a mixed scheduled and general-aviation model and historical reliance on regional/inbound traffic. Comparable in size, infrastructure ambition, and exposure to short-haul leisure demand.
• Donegal Airport: Irish regional airport co-funded under the same €42.5m Regional Airports Programme. Comparable small scheduled-service footprint, similar challenges retaining airlines, and overlapping dependence on EU state aid — directly comparable on operations and funding dynamics.
• Kerry Airport: Another Irish regional airport in the same EU-approved Regional Airports Programme cohort as Waterford. Operates scheduled UK services, general aviation, and serves a similarly-sized regional catchment, making it the closest structural peer for benchmarking fees, traffic, and funding.
• Exeter Airport: UK regional airport with a comparable scheduled-service and general-aviation offering, serving a non-London catchment. Useful analogue for regional-airport fee structures, parking revenue mix, and airline-partnership dynamics.

Broad incumbents

• Cork Airport: The nearest major competing airport for the South East catchment. Comparable scheduled-service and general-aviation categories but at materially larger scale; provides a reference point for what Waterford's catchment traffic is 'lost' to.
• Shannon Airport: Larger Irish regional/international airport with overlapping catchment and route set. While substantially bigger, it competes for the same inbound tourism and business traffic and is a useful benchmark for pricing, ATC cost recovery, and route economics.

Regional players

• Inverness Airport: UK regional airport with a comparable mix of scheduled, charter, and general aviation serving a peripheral catchment. Slightly larger than Waterford but instructive on regional-route economics and inbound tourism dependence.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WATairport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WaterfordAirport
• Facebookfacebook.com/WaterfordAirport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterford Airport