Management at Galway airport have pledged to retain a £5 levy on departing passengers, despite a Supreme Court ruling last week which restrained Farranfore airport, in Kerry, from charging a similar fee.
The acting manager at Galway Airport, Mr Jarlath Feeney, said he was satisfied that the £5 charge was completely legal. "We are going to continue with the levy, which has been in existence since September 1st," said Mr Feeney. "We are satisfied that it is valid and legal, and is an absolutely vital contribution to the development fund for the airport."
The departure tax had been the subject of a legal action against the Kerry airport by Ryanair. Following the introduction of the tax at the beginning of the month, Ryanair was granted an injunction in the High Court which restrained the airport from charging the £5 on outgoing flights.
The airport then appealed the case to the Supreme Court, where a stay was put on the injunction. However, this was lifted last weekend and the court ruled that the airport cannot now charge Ryanair passengers the fee.
"We have embarked on a £5 million development plan, which will be funded from a number of different sources," said Mr Feeney.
"People must realise that we are also a private company trying to fund our own development, and this is one of the ways we will raise funds."
Aer Lingus, the only operator to fly out of Galway, was informed that the tax would be introduced earlier this month.