· Passenger numbers using UK scheduled services up 7 per cent
· Passenger numbers using European sun services up 36 per cent
· Only airport in Ireland to report double digit growth in 2011
Notwithstanding massive challenges within the aviation industry in the last 12 months, Ireland West Airport Knock’s latest traffic figures prove that 2011 was its busiest year in its history.
In 2011, the number of passengers using Ireland West Knock increased by over 65,000 passengers to 654,500 - an increase of 11 per cent on 2010. The airport predicts that the current economic conditions will continue to influence travel patterns in 2012 but that due to an expanded network of over 28 international destinations and the recent announcements of new mainland European services to Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Milan, and Paris with Lufthansa and Ryanair the airport expects to grow passenger levels by a further 9 per cent in 2012.
A recent independent study by Ernst & Young economic consultants states that the airport supports a total of 914 jobs in the region with an overall economic contribution of €143m annually. The new services detailed above are alone expected to generate an additional tourism spend of over €23m for the region.
Joe Gilmore, MD Ireland West Airport Knock said: “We are delighted to have had a record year in 2011 and whilst it was our busiest year ever, without doubt, 2012 will be a challenge for everyone in the region. We look forward to welcoming the thousands of European tourists to the west and north west of Ireland but more than ever we need the support of the trade and in particular key stakeholders at regional and national level as these new services will require even greater effort on all our behalfs to ensure they are a success and are maintained for the longer term.”
