Knock Expects Passengers Figures to be Down 75% for the Year
Passenger numbers at Ireland West Airport Knock have dropped 350,000 so far this year as the airports expects it will be down about 75% on last years record breaking numbers. 2019 saw just over 807,000 passengers use the airport in what was the busiest year for the airport following four consecutive years of growth.
The first two months of this year were showing positive growth but March started off with the news that FlyBe ceased operations. FlyBe had been operating to the airport for over ten years and had very popular routes to Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester. The Coronavirus pandemic forced the airport to close down and cease all aviation operations from 30th March until the airport reopened on 1st July.
Ryanair have returned with limited operations and the Aer Lingus service to London Gatwick is not expected to return until 14th September. Lauda Air has returned with services to Palma de Mallorca during the summer months. The airport has reduced staff numbers by 25% and those remaining are working on four day week basis.
EirTrade Aviation who also operate at the airport have been busy since the airport reopened receiving a former SAS Boeing 737-700 for dismantling on 1st July. This was followed by two Iberia Express Airbus A320’s that arrived on 14th July. These aircraft join the former Air France Airbus A380 that has been at the airport since February. The next Airbus A380, F-HPJD, was flown from Paris to Malta to be painted all white. It returned to Paris on 31st July and is expected to arrive for dismantling on Wednesday 12th August and it is currently due to land at 10.50am.
UPDATE: The arrival of the A380 has been postponed for this week. We will update when a new arrival date has been scheduled.
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