AIRPORT INFORMATION

HISTORY

Fermanagh District Council has been in recent times responsible for the operation of the Enniskillen Airport. However, the local authority found it difficult to operate in a competitive scenario and the airport’s activity and income generation dropped significantly to the point where the airport was a financial drain on the Council and the ratepayers generally. At this point, the Airport was moth-balled as it was costing the Council too much to manage and operate.

In 2003, the Council decided that the airport had considerable commercial potential and would provide a significant knock-on benefit to the local economy if properly run as a commercial enterprise. As a result, in November 2003 the Council sought expressions of interest from competent private individuals/businesses to manage and operate the airport as a going concern on a fixed-term lease arrangement.

A consortium (namely Mr. Stephen Finlay, Managing Director of Finlay Holdings Ltd and Mr. Alan Cathcart, Managing Director of John K. Cathcart Ltd.) were successful in their bid and a Business proposal was presented to, and accepted by, Fermanagh District Council. This consortium established a business called Enniskillen Airport Ltd as the legal entity through which the official lease was offered and accepted.

Since this time, the two Directors, Stephen and Alan, have managed and operated Enniskillen Airport with considerable success. Initially, income generation was slow and it was clear investment was needed to ensure the airport had a reasonable opportunity to be financially sustainable for the benefit of the current operators and indeed the economy of Co. Fermanagh. In 2006/07 the Council invested in infrastructural facilities at the airport. A new 12,000 ft2 workspace unit was constructed (partly funded via DETI and the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme). The aim was to develop aviation workspace to attract quality aviation based business to St. Angelo. At the present time, this is fully occupied by Sloane Helicopters and it has been a considerable success.

In addition to the above investment, the Stephen and Alan have also invested heavily in capital building improvements and development as well as equipment and infrastructure. This included the construction of a new 6,000 ft2 workspace unit which is now fully occupied by the renowned London Helicopter Centres. Furthermore, other private related developments have occurred such as the construction of a new private hangar construction by the Quinn Group for the accommodation of its private jet.

From its take over in 2004, Enniskillen Airport is proving to be a continuing success. The Directors have ambitious plans in place going forward and their goal is for Enniskillen Airport to become the Premier Corporate Airfield in Ireland in the coming years.