Ireland West Airport has a new chairman.
He is businessman Arthur French who has been a member of airport’s board since 2006.
He succeeds long-serving chairman Joe Kennedy, who is to become honorary president of the airport.
Arthur French is a native of Claremorris, Co Mayo.
He set up his own company, French Estates, in County Kildare in 1975.
It’s involved in land, property and development sales.
Last year, Mr French was appointed honorary consul to Kazakhstan; he is currently deeply involved in expanding economic relationships between the two countries.
He says the airport’s role is to be a key economic driver for the west and north west.
Joe Kennedy has served on the board of the airport since 2002.
He recalled that there had been some uncertain times but that the airport has continued to grow and thrive, culminating in a record year of 750,000 passengers last year.
