The future of the South East's only international airport is in doubt following an announcement that Euroceltic Airlines is to withdraw its daily service between Waterford and Luton.
The board of the South East Regional Airport, previously known as Waterford Regional Airport, has been told that the airline has lost about €1m in the past 12 months.
The board has confirmed that Euroceltic will be stopping its service between Waterford and Luton from 26 January.
Senior board members say the company has blamed competition from Cork airport and the lack of support from people in Waterford on the decision to withdraw.
This will leave only a small amount of unscheduled air business and an air-rescue service at the airport.
No other airline currently flies out of Waterford. A number of airlines, including British Airway, Manx and Ryanair previously operated a service from there but withdrew due to lack of business.
There are fears now that the airport Board will have to seriously downscale operations and the jobs of up to 30 people are under threat.
The board is to meet with airport employees tomorrow to inform them of the situation and the local authorities in the five counties in the region who have supported the airport in the past will be informed.
Nicholas Fewer, chairperson of the company which runs the regional airport, said he was saddened by the decision.
'I sympathise with our employees who are facing a very uncertain future at a particularly bad time of the year', said Nicholas Fewer, chairperson of the company which runs the airport. 'I am also sorry for the people of the region who deserve better transport facilities but I can assure them that the Board members and I have done everything possible to avoid the current situation.'
