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Home News Lookwest.ie News Knock Airport Welcomes Important New Routes and sees Continued Growth.

Knock Airport Welcomes Important New Routes and sees Continued Growth.

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April of this year saw the return of Aer Lingus after a 10 year absence, with the new London Gatwick scheduled service. This follows 2 new routes in 2008 with the addition of a Glasgow service with Bmibaby and a Liverpool service with Ryanair.These new routes are a great benefit to business and tourism in the region. 2008 was Ireland West Airport Knock’s busiest year ever with traffic up 13%. Given the current economic situation 2009 is expected to be more challenging, but despite this Knock Airport expects to grow passenger levels by a modest 1% - 3

  • Growth in UK Schedules Routes Support Increase in Annual Passenger Traffic to 629,000

  • Traffic up 13%

  • New Operators and Business Recouped on European Charter Flights for 2009


Challenges

Notwithstanding massive challenges within the aviation industry in the last twelve months, Ireland West Airport Knock’s latest traffic figures prove that 2008 was its busiest year yet. In 2008, the annual number of passengers using Ireland West Knock increased by over 73,000 passengers to 629,000 - an increase of 13% on.

Additional services in 2009

In 2009, Ireland West Airport Knock will continue to build on the range of services provided at the Airport by introducing new Thomas Cook tour operator brands, Panorama and Sunworld, to the Airport’s tour operator portfolio in summer 2009 when they commence a holiday charter programme to Faro, Portugal. The Airport will offer 13 European sun, ski and pilgrimage destinations in 2009 with tour operators and travel partners Concorde Travel, Falcon JWT, Sunway, Joe Walsh Tours, PC Promotions, Panorama and Sunworld, and build on its winter ski programme with Topflight. New flights and holidays are also available with Swiss Tour Operator Falcontravel Travelhouse to Zurich in Switzerland bookable through local travel agents.

Further Development
2009 will be an exciting year for Ireland West Airport Knock with the completion of a number of significant civil and building projects at the Airport including;

  • The implementation of Category II Instrumentation Landing Systems (CAT II ILS) will enhance the reliability of the Airport in poor weather and low visibility conditions.  

  • A new €5.5 million terminal extension will double the existing check-in area, security screening and departures lounges.

  • New retail, catering and other facilities for passengers to enjoy.

  • A substantial extension to the apron (aircraft parking area) is planned to meet increased passenger and aircraft traffic.

  • Enhancements and expansions to the car parks and road access

  • New Bus Éireann scheduled services to be introduced