Waterford Airport in Ireland's south-east may be set to re-open to commercial traffic with the airport disclosing that it is in 'advanced discussions' with a potential new airline. Waterford has been without commercial service since VLM (1992) (Antwerp) withdrew in mid-2016. The now-bankrupt Belgian airline had offered services to Birmingham, GB and London Luton.
Despite providing no commercial flights, Waterford was recently awarded a EUR1 million (USD1.12 million) grant from the Irish Department of Transport for safety and security upgrades. It can also access an additional EUR870,000 (USD976,000) grant once scheduled services are resumed.
Other airlines which have served the airport – located just two hours drive from Cork and Dublin International – include flybe. (2002) (Exeter) which operated a 4x weekly Manchester International service and a 3x weekly service to Birmingham using Dash 8-400 equipment; Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) which offered services to London Luton, London Southend, and Manchester Intl; and Aer Arann Regional (Dublin International) which offered London Southend and Manchester services.