`A new report on the future of Ireland West Airport Knock, published yesterday (Thursday ), has set an ambitious target to more than double passenger numbers to 1.3 million over the next 10 years.
The report also recommends local authorities across the region should be involved in alleviating some of the airport’s €10.5 million debt burden.
A multi-agency effort, involving tourism and enterprise bodies, local authorities, and the local community, is also needed to grow the airport and secure its future.
IWAK, which recorded almost 686,000 passengers in 2012, contributes €135 million, directly and indirectly, to the local economy each year.
The airport employes 102 people full-time and supports a further 817 jobs in the region’s tourism sector.
For every €100 spent at IWAK, an extra €69 is generated in the local economy.
Deputy John O’Mahony, who chaired the IWAK report study group, said the airport is hugely important to the region’s economy.
“I am confident the report will be of significant benefit not only in terms of IWAK’s future but in developing policy on regional airports in Ireland,” added the Deputy.
On Tuesday, the Government announced the key recommendation of the IWAK study group - to extend exchequer funding of the airport for 10 years - will be put in place.
Exchequer funding had been due to stop next year and this would have left the airport in financial crisis by mid-2014 and facing certain closure within two years.
The airport requires €20 million in funding for the next 10 years but €36 million over the same period would make the airport self-sufficient by 2023.
“This airport, which is an access point to the region for hundreds of thousands of people, needed certainty,” said Deputy O’Mahony. “This has given it that certainty of continual support.”
Joe Gilmore, managing director of IWAK, said the report was a “very positive step”. “The report clearly highlights the strong business case for future investiment in the airport,” he said.
One of the main ways to grow passenger numbers at IWAK is to work with Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to attract visitors to the west through the airport, according to the report.
The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance touring route - a flagship project for Fáilte Ireland in 2014 - represents a major opportunity to get passengers through IWAK.
IWAK will now develop a business plan based on the study group report recommendations. The main recommendations of the report are to remain disciplined in managing costs, maximise revenue, harness the tourism potential of the region, and develop aviation maintenance and repair and other non-aviation enterprise at the airport.
