Knock Airport breaks 700,000 passenger mark in a year

Ireland West Airport Knock has enjoyed a record breaking year, with passenger numbers exceeding 700,000 for the first time in the airport’s 29 year history.

The number of passengers using the airport increased by over 38,000 to 703,324 – an increase of 5.7% on 2013 – meaning it now serves over 20 international destinations and is served by three of Europe’s major international airlines, Aer Lingus, Flybe and Ryanair.

August 2014 also saw the airport experience its busiest ever month with a total of 102,774 passengers passing through the terminal – the first time in the 28 year history that over 100,000 passengers have used the airport in a calendar month.

The year 2014 saw a major increase in traffic to/from the UK, which represents the airports biggest market, with traffic up 9.4% on 2013 numbers.

Particularly strong performers were Ryanair’s London services to Stansted and Luton, which carried an extra 44,000 passengers (up 20%), whilst Aer Lingus’ London Gatwick service grew by 6%. Flybe services to Manchester and Birmingham, also performed strongly with passenger numbers up 9% across both routes.

And its position as a gateway to the west was underlined recently as seven local authorities – including both Galway City and County Councils – have approved in principle to take an investment in the airport. They are joined by Councils in Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon and Mayo.

In addition, a number of important safety and security upgrades were carried out at the airport in 2014 including the installation of an airport wide CCTV system, costing €200,000, across the entire airport facility providing enhanced security and safety measures for passengers and staff at the airport, whilst a €1.7m upgrade of the Runway End Safety Area and aircraft turning circle was completed in 2014 to meet existing regulatory requirements.

“We are delighted to have had a record year in 2014 with record numbers on almost all of our services, highlighting the airports importance as the main international gateway for the West & North West of Ireland and indeed the Wild Atlantic Way,” said Joe Gilmore, Managing Director at Ireland West Airport Knock.