Transforming Ireland West Airport
Ireland West Airport is committed to investing in its infrastructure and facilities to ensure compliance with industry regulations and to deliver a best-in-class experience for our customers. 2024 saw continued investment in the Airport Transformation Programme, with several infrastructure projects completed to maintain the highest international safety and security standards and modernise the airport’s facilities to meet the future needs of our airline customers and passengers.
With the support of the Department of Transport, almost €7,000,000 was invested in safety, security, and infrastructure projects at the airport in 2024.
Projects completed included Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL’s) upgrade, Airfield upgrade works, including runway scrub removal and drainage works. Upgrade of the airport’s electrical infrastructure, Climate Adaptation Mitigation Plan, and Sustainability Master Plan Phase 4. Purchase of new fire tender vehicles, electrical fuel bowser, electrical security patrol vehicle and PV Solar Farm planning phase. The airport also completed work on a new covered passenger walkway for departing passengers waiting to board flights outside the departures gates.
During the period 2025-2028, the completion of several significant safety and security-related projects is forecast to cost approximately €38m.
Planned Projects 2026-2028
- Safety expansion and reconfiguration of aircraft stands to improve the passenger experience and accommodate new, larger modern aircraft.
- Refurbishment and upgrade of the electrical Infrastructure, aeronautical ground lighting
- (AGL) and air traffic control systems
- Runway end safety area works
- Construction of a new Aerodrome Fire training centre
- Security system upgrades
- Purchase of an Air Traffic Control engineering vehicle, Electrical Hi Loader and Ambu lift
- Development of PV Solar Farm as part of the airport’s climate mitigation plan
- Progressing of the airport’s sustainability and environmental strategy to achieve ‘net zero’ for its carbon emissions by 2050
- Provision of new explosive trace detection systems
- Instrument flight procedure charts and airspace change system upgrades
- Continued upgrade and expansion of car parking & PRM facilities at the airport
- Continued modernisation of the retail, catering and lounge facilities at the airport
The completion of the above projects will ensure the airport continues to comply with International Safety and Security regulations and to enhance its facilities and customer experience for our passengers.
Ongoing Developments
Phase 3 of the airport’s Transformation Programme, aimed at further improving the passenger experience and upgrading facilities and infrastructure, has been underway for the past 18 months. We thank our customers and stakeholders for their ongoing support and also acknowledge the support of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and other Government departments for their support towards the major capital infrastructure projects as part of the Project Ireland 2040 strategy. Phase 4 of the programme has recently commenced and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.