€1.86 million in Funding for Knock Airport but Q3 sees a Decline in Traffic
Ireland West Airport has welcomed funding of €1,868,439 to the airport under the Public Policy Remit Operational Expenditure Subvention (PPR-O) Scheme for 2017. The Programme provides for Exchequer support to contribute towards the significant operational costs associated with air traffic control, fire, safety and security at the airport.
Joe Kennedy, Chairman of the airport, said ‘We wish to acknowledge the support of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD in awarding this funding for the airport. We also wish to thank Minister Michael Ring TD and his department for their ongoing support and in particular their support for the development of a new Tourist Visit Centre at the airport which will open next year. I wish to also extend our thanks to local representatives for their support for the airport throughout the year. 2017 will see the airport have its busiest ever year with passenger numbers set to reach almost 750,000 and this year has also seen the airport embark on a major investment plan aimed at transforming the facility over the next three years with a planned €15m investment in new passenger facilities, terminal upgrades and infrastructural works across the airport facility and runway. I would like to thank the Department of Transport, our local authority partners and our airport staff and customers for their support in delivering these projects over the next three years. We look forward to continuing to work with Government on a long term commitment & investment to support the airport’s growth and development plans.’
Passenger Figures fall for Q3
According to CSO figures released on 11th December, more than 10.5 million passengers passed through the main Irish airports, an increase of 5.4% over the same period in 2016. However, passenger numbers decreased in Shannon, Knock and Kerry, when compared with quarter 3 of 2016. Passenger numbers in Cork and Dublin airports, both increased by 6.4%, but they fell in Shannon (5.6%), Knock (3.6%) and Kerry (2.7%). The country’s main airports handled a total of 39,582 tonnes of freight.
New Image for Knock Airport?
Last week Ireland West Airport Knock released their new brand and logo, controversially removing the word “Knock”. The revamp includes a new logo, website and marketing material. Head of Marketing at the airport, Donal Healy said to the Mayo News “We’ll be using a variation of both [Ireland West Airport Knock and Ireland West Airport]. There is no controversy in terms of the name. The type of branding will depend on the type of application. We did it with the previous name, but we’ll always be ‘Knock Airport’ to most people,” He was speaking after a number of local people voiced their concerns over the change, with one saying the late Monsignor Horan would ‘turn in his grave if he knew his beloved Knock was removed’.
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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