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Confirmation of seven routes for 2020, a new-look website and a charity partner to underline plans to reach out to communities more throughout the Kingdom are among Kerry Airport’s key plans as it celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

Kerry Airport, which contributes approximately €9.5 million to the local economy each year, was officially opened on Saturday, August 30, 1969 by the then Minister for Transport and Power, Brian Lenihan TD - and 50 years on the vision of its founding fathers has been realised in the shape of a successful and respected international airport.

Half a century on from that historic occasion, modern passengers will be delighted to learn that Ryanair will continue to serve Kerry with flights to Berlin and Frankfurt Hahn in Germany, London Luton and Stansted in the UK and, to the delight of sun-seekers, Alicante and Faro in 2020.

“Over the next 12 months, as Kerry Airport celebrates its 50^th anniversary, we will honour past accomplishments and ensure the airport’s continued success and contribution to the community of Kerry and the wider region,” CEO of Kerry Airport, John Mulhern, said.

Another key development moving forward, to the benefit of passengers travelling in and out of Kerry and the hospitality sector in the county, is the development of the new-look and easy to navigate airport website - www.kerryairport.ie.

Kerry Airport and Pieta House will team-up in the coming months to launch the 2020 Darkness Into Light Walks in Kerry as well as other events that will raise funds for and awareness of the great work being done by the volunteers and friends of Pieta.

Commenting on the partnership, Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta House, said that they are very privileged to be part of Kerry Airport’s vision and next phase of growth to support people and communities in crisis – those at risk of suicide, engaging in self harm, or those bereaved by suicide to replace this with hope, self-care and acceptance.

"One in seven adults have experienced mental health issues in the last 12 months and it costs approximately €1,000 to bring one person through our services each year so community fundraising is vital to sustain the level of care needed," she said.

"Our annual ‘Darkness into Light’ events and current ‘FeelGood with Pieta’ campaign aims to raise vital funds for these services to make it easy for people to ask for and to get the help they need, to make a difference in their lives, to feel better. At its heart, Pieta is about working with people to lift levels of suicidal ideation, to help them bring hope back into their lives and to improve their levels of self-care, and support people and families that have been impacted by the loss of a loved one by suicide.”