Inishbofin Airfield

The airfield never commenced its planned scheduled operations. This was due to a combination of factors: the runway surface was deemed too soft and unsuitable for the intended aircraft (Britten-Norman Islander) by the operator, Aer Arann; the significant cost required to upgrade the runway to a safe, all-weather standard; and the failure to finalize a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract to subsidize the route, making it economically unviable.

The site is abandoned and unmaintained. The grass/gravel runway is still visible but is overgrown and in poor condition. There are no terminal buildings or facilities. The land is used informally by locals for walking and grazing. While it is not a licensed aerodrome, it has been used on rare occasions by private light aircraft and helicopters at their own risk.

Built by the Irish government in the late 1980s, the airfield was intended to provide a vital air link for the island community of Inishbofin, connecting it to the mainland (likely Connemara Regional Airport). The planned Public Service Obligation (PSO) route was to be operated by Aer Arann. It was part of a broader national strategy to improve infrastructure for remote offshore islands. Its failure to ever become operational serves as a case study in the logistical, engineering, and financial challenges of providing air services to small, isolated communities. It is often referred to as a 'ghost airport'.

There are no official or funded plans to reopen the airfield for commercial service. While the topic is occasionally raised in local discussions, particularly regarding emergency medical access, the significant costs of reconstruction and the need for a long-term operational subsidy make reopening highly unlikely. Emergency transport needs are primarily met by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service, which does not require a formal runway.