Environmentalists angered as Sligo airport runway extension approved

Environmentalists have been angered by the decision of Sligo County Council to award planning permission to Sligo Strandhill Airport for a 285m long runway extension.

In Novemnber 2002, a Fokker F27-500 registered G-ECAT of Celtic Airways was written off following a runway excursion at Sligo Airport following a late landing. The AAIU Final Report into the incident in 2005 recommended that the airport operator should 'improve the over run area of RWY 11' as a lack of sufficient over run was found to be a contributory factor in the incident.

Sligo Airport subsequently applied for and has now received permission (with 10 conditions attached) for the 285m extension which will cost in the region of €10m.

Local environmentalists are not happy however as the planned extension will cross an area of EU protected maritime habitat and . The Dorrin's and Cummeen Strand Conservation Group say that they will appeal the matter to an Bord Pleanala. The Group also say that the runway will infringe of existing wildfowl and shellfish habitats and could create new currents which would affect access to nearby Coney Island.