Ireland West Airport Knock, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland

Ireland West Airport Knock (Aerfort na Connacht) in County Mayo was first opened as Knock Airport in 1986 due to the efforts of Monsignor James Horan who believed an airport was needed in the area so that pilgrims could visit a nearby Catholic shrine.

Since the opening over 20 years ago the airport, situated 5.6km south of Charlestown, has gone from strength to strength and has become a major transport hub in the area allowing business development and tourist traffic to the area as well as serving thousands of pilgrims.

In 2007, around 557,000 passengers used the airport, which is a reduction of around 9% since 2006 (621,000) so that Ireland West is the only airport in Ireland to record a reduction in passenger numbers during the period. The airport has seen several airlines operate routes to destinations across the UK only to see them withdrawn in a short space of time but now a new range of destinations have been introduced and a passenger figure of 800,000 is expected for 2008.

Although the runway (09/27) is only 2,300m (7,546ft) long, the airport has several times played host to aircraft as large as the Boeing 747. The airport is owned and operated by Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd and serves west and Northwest Ireland with passenger services by Aer Arann (Dublin), bmibaby (Birmingham, Glasgow International and Manchester), Ryanair (Bristol, East Midlands, London-Luton and London-Stansted) and XL Airways, as well as charter flights by a range of other operators.

IRELAND WEST DEVELOPMENT

In February 2007 the Irish Government decided it was giving a €27m grant to the airport. The money will be used to assist in the improvements being made in the infrastructure (the current infrastructure investment programme is worth some €46m).

Current projects for 2008 will require €20m and include an extension to the parking apron so that it will double in size. Runway 09/27 will also receive an upgrade of systems to category II Instrumentation Landing Systems (CAT II ILS) to allow low-visibility operations (due for completion by summer 2008).

There will also be an extension to the Runway Ends Safety Area (RESA) at either end of 09/27, a new runway turn-pad and new expanded car-parking facilities. At the end of 2007 some infrastructure projects had been completed including a new perimeter fence and an access road. The main contractor for these initial works was Frank Harrington Ltd.

TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT

In February 2008 Ireland West Airport Knock also received planning permission for the first phase of development of the airport terminal building (following an appeal against the project in September 2006). The first phase of the expansion of the terminal building will be completed by the end of 2008. Currently, the terminal building has an annual capacity for 500,000 passengers. At the end of the first phase of development it will be able to accommodate 800,000 passengers a year.

The expansion of the terminal building will include a new security screening area, an expanded check-in hall, additional departures capacity and services and enhancements to the baggage sorting facility. The second extension of the terminal is planned for 2009–2010 and will provide additional arrivals area capacity and further develop the departures areas.

SECURITY

Ireland West Airport Knock announced in January 2008 that a full complement of Garda would now be on duty at the airport at all times. The new security arrangements came into effect at the end of March 2008.

The Garda unit will consist of one Sergeant and seven Gardaí who will operate from a station in the main concourse. The new development will also mean a full-time immigration unit for the airport which will be essential for future route expansions.