First off if a ADF is being changed its needs to be a legal requirment to inform passengers under EU or Irish law and this is why Ryanair are getting away with not informing them.
People in glasshouses ... From the airport's website: On 21 February 2007, the Irish Government announced that it was giving €27 million of capital grant money to Ireland West Airport.
Maybe in 21st century post-tiger Ireland 27m€ doesn't count as "large amounts" but from where I'm sitting, that's a fair sized handout.
I'm not sure how much of that was received as WAT didn't receive there full funding for the runway but what is correct the Goverment has invested a lot in airport devolpment over the last few years. Nobody can dispute this so don't try to.
What other way can the airport say open and run properly with a charge of this sort, they do not receive large amounts from the government to dig themselves out of holes.
They could stay open when airline/passengers charges cover the operatioal costs and not taxing passengers a second time when they come through the door.
Folks, the travelling public vote with their feet and pockets...the reality IS Knock is good value for money and convenient to almost 700,000 customers using the airport, despite the development fee! And in fact it's been paid the ultimate compliment by national government having to bail out the loss making practically bankrupt state owned airport Shannon that was on the way out until its been bailed out. Government now clearly wishes to penalise knock for its success and ensure its own airports remain.
Nobody is forcing passengers to use Knock, if people don't wish to use it then they are perfectly entitled to go to other airports ....however for some strange reason this is not happening as the passenger numbers indicate ...despite all the begrudgers who want to think otherwise
Nobody is saying otherwise about how great it is but think how many passengers in 2012 landed at check in and were told pay to leave when they payed for an airline ticket which is suposed to have airport charges included. Its fine for Irish people paying but for people coming into Ireland it creates a very bad impression and will not help NOC attract other carriers in future.