Today, July 8, marks the 40th Anniversary of the first flight by Ryanair from Waterford Airport.
Waterford Airport was granted its operational licence in December, 1981 by the Department of Transport. Later, in 1982, the airport was granted a licence for international flights.
The first Ryanair flight to London Gatwick left Waterford Airport on the morning of Monday, 8 July, 1985 – and it was the airport’s first international scheduled air service. In the first week, bookings had exceeded the expected level by some 40% as confidence grew about the future of the service.
The number of people using the newly established Ryanair service between Waterford and London-Gatwick was running well ahead of expectations in what was only its second week in operation. Two years later, in 1987, Ryanair opened new offices on the Quay in Waterford City.
Former News Editor of The Munster Express John O’Connor remembers being on the first Avair flight after Waterford Airport received its operational licence in 1981.
“There were politicians and media on board and we took off and circled for one hour and then landed. The flight never left Ireland,” said Mr. O’Connor, speaking to The Munster Express.
“Everyone was excited at the time because of the possibility of increased tourism and using the airport for work. It was always suggested at the time that a lot of people setting up businesses had looked at Waterford, but then found out there was no airport. They wanted an airport that could link with Dublin and London preferably.
“There was optimism at the time that an airport would be good for Waterford,” he added.
No commercial flights have operated out of Waterford Airport since 2016, but the airport continues to be a very busy base for other services, such as the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter R117; as well as handling corporate aircraft, pilot and flight training, Waterford Aero Club, and private aircraft.
RYANAIR MIGHT RETURN TO WATERFORD AFTER RUNWAY EXTENSION IS COMPLETE
Back in October, 2022, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said he would consider operating a flight service from Waterford to London if the infrastructure was in place.
This is something the airline repeated in 2024, that it would be interested in exploring flights from Waterford Airport once the runway extension is complete.
Earlier this year, Mr. O’Leary reiterated that should Waterford Airport get a runway extension and there is a low-cost base (i.e. it was free), then Ryanair “might put one or two flights a day back in there from London”.
MORE DELAYS FOR RUNWAY EXTENSION
Last week, the airport hit more delays in regards to its proposed runway extension, when the Department of Transport requested a business case be submitted with updated infrastructure guidelines, as per the Public Spending Code. You can read more about it in this week’s edition of The Munster Express (8 July, 2025).
Caption main photo: The first Ryanair flight to London Gatwick left Waterford Airport on the morning of Monday, 8 July, 1985 – and it was the airport’s first international scheduled air service.
Caption, second photo: The first flight from Waterford Regional Airport after an operating licence was granted by the Department, December 15th, 1981. Among those on board were Waterford City Manager, Michael Doody; William Kenneally TD; Brian O’Shea TD; Councillor Maurice Cummins; IDA Regional Manager, Pat Loftus and Jimmy Kelly, AT&GWU. Among the media representatives on board were Peter Doyle, Waterford News and Star; Dick Dowling, Cork Examiner; Peter Murphy, RTÉ and John O’Connor, Munster Express. Photo: Eoin Murphy
