An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a runway extension at Waterford Airport.
The news has been welcomed locally as a further step towards expansion of facilities at the regional airport, which has not had a commercial flight service for over five years.
Waterford City and County Council applied in 2020 for permission to extend the runway from 1,433 metres to 2,287 metres.
The project is expected to cost about €12m, with some of the funding to be provided by a number of business interests in the southeast.
Government funding will also be sought by the council.
CEO of Waterford City and Council Michael Walsh welcomed "the positive decision" from An Bord Pleanála.
According to Waterford Chamber, confirmation that An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the extension closes another chapter on a long-running campaign.
"Securing the necessary funding will continue to be a priority for us," Chamber CEO Gerard Hurley said in a statement.
"We have vigorously lobbied Government on this extension, right up to last week in fact, as it is one of the key requirements of many of our members in industry."
He said they are now one step closer to having an airport, which will help the southeast region in terms of attracting foreign direct investment, expanding existing companies and allowing more tourism.
"There is still a way to go, but today is a giant leap forward," Mr Hurley said.
