Ryanair welcomed its eighth millionth passenger on flights to/from Ireland West Airport last Friday November 16.
Irene Brady from Ballaghaderreen, who was travelling to Liverpool was the lucky eight millionth Ryanair passenger and to mark the occasion was presented with a pair of return flights to Ryanairs newest destination, Cologne, from Ireland West Airport.
Since Ryanair’s first flight from the airport departed to London Luton in December 1986 they have continued to grow their route network from the airport and today also launched their summer 2019 schedule which will offer customers in the west and north west st a choice of 13 routes to the UK and Europe, delivering over 600,000 passengers with 46 flights weekly.
The 2019 schedule will include for the first time a new twice weekly service to Cologne which starts in June 2019 and will provide a major tourism boost for the West region. Other highlights of the 2019 schedule include: (1 ) Addition of an extra 8,000 seats on their twice weekly service from Barcelona with the season extended to operate from April to October; (2 ) Addition of an extra 13,000 seats on the Bristol service with a 30% increase in capacity in 2019 with the service operating all year round and (3 ) Season extension on the Alicante service with the service now operating from April to October.
Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport stated: "We are delighted to reach another landmark in the airport’s history and growth with Ryanair in welcoming their 8 millionth passenger to use the airport.
"I would like to acknowledge the loyalty and commitment that Ryanair has shown to the airport and the West of Ireland over the last 32 years providing vitally important international access to the UK and Europe and in particular their continued support for inbound tourism with their popular mainland European services from Milan and Barcelona.
"We are delighted also to welcome a new service from Cologne which starts in June 2019 as part of our biggest ever summer 2019 schedule with Ryanair which will see flights to 13 destinations across the UK and Europe".
Robin Kiely, Ryanair added: "We are pleased to launch our 2019 summer schedule from Ireland West Airport with 13 routes, including a new route to Cologne. Ryanair is also delighted to celebrate its eight millionth customer since it started operating from the West of Ireland airport in 1986.
"Over the last 32 years Ryanair has seen a huge demand for its routes at Ireland West Airport as customers in the West of Ireland snap up Ryanair’s lowest fares to top destinations including Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool and London Stansted as well as to a host of European destinations in Spain, Portugal, Italy and now Germany”.
