Seaplane licence granted to Irish firm

THE FIRST Irish seaplane licence in the modern era has been granted to a company which plans a network of flights with landings and take-offs from sea and lake locations.

At the company’s main base on the river Shannon yesterday, chief executive of Harbour Flights Ireland Emlyn Heaps said that the company would start flying in and out of Mountshannon in the next two weeks.

He was celebrating after aviation officials had landed yesterday on the waters of Lough Derg at Mountshannon at lunchtime to deliver the licence to the company.

Mountshannon is the first base to secure the permission. Mr Heaps is confident that similar Irish Aviation Authority licences will be issued for Harbour Flights Ireland Ltd bases at Poolbeg in Dublin, Galway docks, Cobh and Foynes, Co Limerick, early in 2012.

Mr Heaps said the service from the various locations would lead to the creation of 60 jobs.

The Harbour Flights chief executive confirmed that all sites were appealed to An Bord Pleanála. “It has taken four years for the project to reach today.

“It is a huge hurdle crossed. The issuing of the licence today opens the door for us to apply for licences at the other locations. It has been slow and we are ready to join all of the dots early in the new year.”

The chief executive claimed that the new service “will revolutionise tourism in Ireland”.

Asked if he was confident that the new service from the network of bases would be successful, Mr Heaps said: “Of course it will be a success. Its success is not an issue.”

Mr Heaps said that the company has had a business expansion scheme plan approved by Fáilte Ireland that would allow the company to raise up to €2.5 million from investors. “We are one of the most innovative companies in the country and we have a very comprehensive three-year business plan in place.”

The chief executive thanked the various State agencies including An Bord Pleanála, Clare County Council, Inland Waterways Ireland, the IAA and Inland Fisheries Board, all of which have supported the project.

Mr Heaps said that the prices of tickets for flights would vary from €50 to €150.

An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead to the sea base at Mountshannon last year in spite of opposition from An Taisce, Inland Fisheries Ireland and local fishermen and residents.

In its ruling, the appeals board gave the project the go-ahead after finding that the proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would not give rise to the creation of a traffic hazard, would not be prejudicial to public health and would not have significant effects on the Natura 2000 site – Lough Derg (Shannon) Special Protection Area.