Proposals for a new sea-plane service from the Docks to Aran, Limerick and Dublin have taken a step forward after the project backers secured space in the Harbour Hotel for use as a ‘check-in’ area.

City planners said that the originally proposed temporary accommodation would not be suitable, and told Harbour Air Ireland to go back to the drawing board with their plans.Harbour Air Ireland – which is owned by Ennis-based Emelyn Heaps and solicitor Ronan Connolly – has already invested €7.5million on three ‘Single Otter’ sea-planes, as well as €1.5m on developing the company.

They intend to introduce schedule sea-plane flights from Galway Docks to Aran, Limerick and Dublin, and are ‘ready to go’ with the project.

The company plans on first launching a Galway to Inis Mór service as well as a Foynes, Co Limerick to Inis Mór service, before expanding a Galway to Foynes service and routes from Dublin to Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Cork, Clare, Belfast and Lough Derg.

Last year, the company sought permission to install floating pontoons, an access gangway, mooring anchors and an aviation fuel store at the Docks.

However, planners had a number of concerns about the visual impact of the development on the Docks area, and asked the applicants to revise the plans.

The Harbour Hotel has now confirmed that sea-plane passengers can avail of their restrooms and a dedicated desk for checking-in and weighing luggage, while the hotel’s bar and restaurant will be open for waiting passengers.

Read more in this week's Connacht Sentinel