The board of the South East Regional Airport at Waterford issued protective notice to 22 employees yesterday because of the airport's uncertain future following the decision of Euroceltic Airways to withdraw its services with effect from January 26th.
A planned expansion of the helicopter search-and-rescue service operated from the airport by CHC Ltd on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard is also now in doubt due to a lack of funding for back-up staff and services.
Mr Nicholas Fewer, chairman of the airport company, said yesterday that it was with deep regret that the airport employees were being given protective notice in the run-up to Christmas.
However, the board had no other option as funds were not in place to continue operating the airport safely and to acceptable standards.
Mr Fewer has also informed Capt Liam Kirwan of the Irish Coast Guard that the cost to the airport of providing the necessary back-up for a 24-hour search-and-rescue service, which was to be introduced in January, cannot now be met.
Euroceltic Airways announced its decision to pull out of Waterford last week. The airline had hoped to attract 40,000 passengers to its London-Luton service this year, which would have allowed it to break even on its operations.
A total of 31,000 passengers will travel, but this is not enough to make it viable.
"During the last decade every regional airport in the country was developing, but it is very significant for us that only five out of the six regional airports were being subsidised directly and indirectly through the introduction of Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes," said Mr Fewer.
"Waterford was always excluded and is still excluded. This decision alone has meant that the airport is not financially viable."
Mr Tony Baker, father of Capt Mick Baker, who died along with three of his Air Corps colleagues when their helicopter crashed on Tramore Strand in 1999, highlighted the need for the airport to support a search-and-rescue service.
"We need an airport in the south-east but we also have to meet all health and safety regulations. The airport has struggled from one crisis to another, and money has been provided from authorities," he said.
"Questions must be asked as to why this has been allowed to continue and why procedures do not appear to have been put in place so that no further tragedy like that which killed my son and his colleagues could happen."
Mr John Deasy, a Fine Gael TD for Waterford, said that, despite the National Spatial Strategy citing Waterford as a gateway, it could be about to lose an essential part of its infrastructure.
"The Government needs to declare its intentions as far as the airport is concerned. Is Waterford a regional gateway or isn't it?" he asked.