Waterford Airport is a key element of the transport infrastructure in the South East region serving passenger needs in Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow.  The closest alternative airports are a two or a three and a half hour journey by road.
The airport’s mission / core purpose is:

“To serve local and regional air transport needs in the South East, providing connectivity for citizens, business users and the inbound tourist market in a safe environment, to act as a local hub for air transport activity and to act as an energiser for business activity in the region.”

In pursuing this, the airport has the following objectives:

• To increase the competitiveness of the South East region and promote the balanced development of the region vis-à-vis the rest of the country, in accordance with the National Spatial Strategy;
• To promote the accessibility and attractiveness of the region for both business and inbound tourism;
• To improve transport infrastructure for the inhabitants of the South East region; and
• To provide and promote cargo facilities to support industry and inward investment to the region.