Ireland West Airport Reports Record Passenger Numbers In December

This projected passenger growth of 24% over last year, stems from Ireland West Airport Knock's route development work last year when it introduced six additional new scheduled services, more than doubling the five scheduled routes in 2006.

The driver for the new growth is expected to come from the expansion of the Airport's routes to the U.K. as well as continued development in its European charter holiday business which is estimated to generate over 90,000 passengers in 2008. U.K. passenger numbers are expected to surpass over half a million

The introduction of scheduled transatlantic services to New York and Boston is said to have been a significant step forward and boost for the Airport and region in 2007. Having carried over 30,000 US passengers for the summer season, airport authorities are determined to build on this positive experience and passenger demand and is currently carrying out development work for the continuation of US services for 2008 which it will announce in due course.

Robert Grealis, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock said: "The Airport faced significant challenges at the outset of 2007 having lost almost a quarter of its annual passengers due to the withdrawal of our twice daily services to London Gatwick by carriers easyJet and Ryanair in late 2006.

"The loss of these routes has had a significant impact in 2007 but was minimised and offset with the development of scheduled services to East Midlands and Bristol with Ryanair and the welcome re-introduction of a six-times-a-week service to London Gatwick with XL.com in December.

"Following five consecutive years of double digit growth, our overall passenger numbers for 2007 were 567,000, a decline of 9% on the previous year.

"However, our new routes together with the good news that air carrier bmibaby will start a new scheduled route to Glasgow International Airport in February, we are projecting that passenger volumes in 2008 will increase by a quarter to almost 700,000, which will be the busiest year ever in the history of the Airport.

"We will employ approximately 200 people in the peak summer season with an additional estimation of 1,100 jobs being generated in spin off businesses.

"Naturally this volume of passengers will put increasing strain on our Airport facilities and we are making every effort to enhance, expand and build the facilities and services to ensure we remain the number one international airport of choice serving the West and North West of Ireland."