Mixed news for Ireland West Airport Knock and air access to the North West this week. Passenger numbers at the airport are up 20% for the first 6 months, but the current economic conditions will make it tough for regional airports to grow in the coming year.
Building work on the new departure terminal has been underway for the last two months, space which is badly needed especially at weekends where charter and scheduled departures in the same time slots can stretch the current facilities. Works are also underway on the CATII ILS/lighting upgrades, RESAs and preparatory work for the extended Apron. The government are cutting-back €13m in regional airport investment, blaming the slow drawdown of funding, no details of where from yet. Cutbacks are understandable with the current public finances falling, but weren't Transport 21/NDP investments supposed to be ring-fenced?
No word on the Dublin PSO yet after Cityjet declined the contract citing lack of aircraft due to a delay in completing their VLM merger. FR have said they will apply to run a midday service, which is outside the terms of the original PSO and probably unsustainable as most users on the route are business people seeking an early morning connection to Dublin.
XL are to end the daily NOC - LGW route from September 2nd saying the current economic climate and oil prices have resulted in a re-focus on its core leisure business. Loads for last month were 60% and they had invested a lot in building the brand in the region, but FR have been heavily discounting STN and LTN in competition all summer and added 2nd STN rotations on peak days. Obviously there is demand on the route (the only hub link in the region), but it will be hard to see anyone taking on FR for a third time. The airports best hope of route growth in the coming months is continued expansion of FR routes to the UK and Europe, FR now operate 5 routes from NOC with the addition of LPL next month, they could be persuaded to base an aircraft with the right deal, as they are currently doing at KIR.