IRELAND WEST AIRPORT KNOCK
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I see that bookings can now be made to Paris CDG, Southampton, Exeter, Cardiff, Manchester, Kirkwall and Sumburgh from Knock on the flybe website. All via Edinburgh obviously. I don't think its possible to connect directly onto the Air France network at CDG yet though.
I guess the more options they provide, the more chance the Edinburgh route has of being a success. I'd say that Sumburgh connection might actually generate a bit of oil and gas related business for flybe through Knock to go with their Loganair charter flights.
I guess the more options they provide, the more chance the Edinburgh route has of being a success. I'd say that Sumburgh connection might actually generate a bit of oil and gas related business for flybe through Knock to go with their Loganair charter flights.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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This is great news as opens up even more niche destinations such as Exeter and Cardiff which should help generate some extra seats each week. The CDG one is a big one and although its a connecting flight it offers people in the West and North West and even the Midlands the option to utilise the convenience of Knock as opposed to travlling to Dublin or Shannon.....should go well and presents good possibilities for the future
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If you look at the timings they aren't that attractive, 5 hours the shortest CDG on a Tue, and via EDI is a long routing. But good to see an airline offering connections all the same.
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Unfortunately Edinburgh isn't a good geographical midpoint for those destinations so I doubt they will be expecting to pick up too many passengers on connections via Knock for now.
The possibility of going to Cardiff or Exeter via Edinburgh is unlikely to be too enticing when there are already direct flights to Bristol. CDG might have worked via Edinburgh but without connections to the AF network the new direct SNN route will be preferable to most.
Obviously Edinburgh is better positioned for connections to Kirkwall and Sumburgh but these are real niche markets that will generate very small passenger traffic. As I mentioned offshore oil and gas related business was probably behind flybe's thinking here.
But at least it shows that the airline are interested in incorporating Knock into their network and if a future direct flight was to be operated to somewhere like Cardiff it might be more suited to onward connection to airports on the UK south coast and European destinations such as CDG.
EDIT: flybe must be still in the process of updating their website, Southampton has now been added to the list as well. Wonder will there be any more, they do fly to a good few other destinations from Edinburgh.
The possibility of going to Cardiff or Exeter via Edinburgh is unlikely to be too enticing when there are already direct flights to Bristol. CDG might have worked via Edinburgh but without connections to the AF network the new direct SNN route will be preferable to most.
Obviously Edinburgh is better positioned for connections to Kirkwall and Sumburgh but these are real niche markets that will generate very small passenger traffic. As I mentioned offshore oil and gas related business was probably behind flybe's thinking here.
But at least it shows that the airline are interested in incorporating Knock into their network and if a future direct flight was to be operated to somewhere like Cardiff it might be more suited to onward connection to airports on the UK south coast and European destinations such as CDG.
EDIT: flybe must be still in the process of updating their website, Southampton has now been added to the list as well. Wonder will there be any more, they do fly to a good few other destinations from Edinburgh.
Last edited by Kinocker; 8th Jan 2011 at 22:57.
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So the end of PSO funding for Knock has been confirmed for July and the Dubln route will be getting the chop. It is therefore more important than ever that a route creating better connections to overseas destinations is sought by the airport to prevent it from becoming solely a low cost airline destination.
I would add though that the loss of the PSO at Sligo and Galway airports is likely to have a far greater effect on those airports than its loss at Knock.
You would feel that this comment from Noel Dempsey spells the death knell for the smaller regional airports.
"Overall, I believe that the combination of an improved surface transport network together with a more consolidated air service network to regional airports, along with the State Airports at Cork, Shannon and Dublin, provides the necessary transport access to underpin Ireland's sustainable development."
Although Knock isn't mentioned, I would consider it to be a very different case to the other regional airports.
I would add though that the loss of the PSO at Sligo and Galway airports is likely to have a far greater effect on those airports than its loss at Knock.
You would feel that this comment from Noel Dempsey spells the death knell for the smaller regional airports.
"Overall, I believe that the combination of an improved surface transport network together with a more consolidated air service network to regional airports, along with the State Airports at Cork, Shannon and Dublin, provides the necessary transport access to underpin Ireland's sustainable development."
Although Knock isn't mentioned, I would consider it to be a very different case to the other regional airports.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Sad for Knock re the end of the PSO, however, does anyone know what the actual passenger numbers are per month on this route? Ball park figures?
In addition, I read here last year that the average boarding was 11 passenger per flight on that route, one would wonder at that rate, exactly how many people would be taking advantage of connections at Dublin each day?
EI-BUD
In addition, I read here last year that the average boarding was 11 passenger per flight on that route, one would wonder at that rate, exactly how many people would be taking advantage of connections at Dublin each day?
EI-BUD
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Well with 24 routes and 4 other airlines now, the loss of DUB PSO is a small part of overall pax figures at NOC, though a loss none the less.
But it was a hub feeder to DUB (when RE bothered to operate) and useful for business travel and connections. It may have impact on the cost of operating early morning and late evening handling and ATC.
But it was a hub feeder to DUB (when RE bothered to operate) and useful for business travel and connections. It may have impact on the cost of operating early morning and late evening handling and ATC.
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The airport's response to the PSO cull has been posted on their website
Ireland West Airport Knock
Interesting comment at the bottom of the response:
"Government support for the creation of an international hub connection to destinations such as Heathrow or Paris Charles de Gaulle would also greatly enhance the airports contribution to regional economic growth."
Maybe if Inda gets in he might sort it!
In other news, Norwich and Birmingham have been added to the list of bookable connections via Edinburgh with flybe.
Ireland West Airport Knock
Interesting comment at the bottom of the response:
"Government support for the creation of an international hub connection to destinations such as Heathrow or Paris Charles de Gaulle would also greatly enhance the airports contribution to regional economic growth."
Maybe if Inda gets in he might sort it!
In other news, Norwich and Birmingham have been added to the list of bookable connections via Edinburgh with flybe.
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Hi. What has happen to new charter flight to Riva Lake Garda no time table yet on topflight web page
.
Any word on forwarding booking for the Edinburg flight starting in april thank you in advance
.Any word on forwarding booking for the Edinburg flight starting in april thank you in advance
Join Date: Dec 2010
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I see that the airport has quietly published its passenger numbers for 2010.
589,180 passengers used the airport last year, a drop of just under 3% from 2009 and a drop of 6.5% from the record year in 2008. It was the fourth busiest ever year at the airport after 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Not bad going considering a number of factors would have had an adverse impact on passenger figures at all airports in this part of the world last year. Despite the upcoming loss of the Dublin route in July, I'd be confident that the airport will see an increase in passenger numbers next year with the four new scheduled routes, maybe not to 2008 levels but possibly not too far off them.
589,180 passengers used the airport last year, a drop of just under 3% from 2009 and a drop of 6.5% from the record year in 2008. It was the fourth busiest ever year at the airport after 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Not bad going considering a number of factors would have had an adverse impact on passenger figures at all airports in this part of the world last year. Despite the upcoming loss of the Dublin route in July, I'd be confident that the airport will see an increase in passenger numbers next year with the four new scheduled routes, maybe not to 2008 levels but possibly not too far off them.
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Joe Gilmore has predicted that passenger numbers will go above 650,000 for the first time ever this year at Knock.
Commenting on the year ahead, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock said “2011 is expected to be the busiest year on record at Ireland West Knock, despite the current economic downturn, the airport will hope to serve over 650,000 passengers which reflects the increasing preference amongst passengers to fly direct to and from our region.
I suppose that would be dependent on all routes other then Dublin being a success and lasting the year but if the economy picks up any bit at all its an achievable target. Makes you wonder what could be achieved if and when the national economy gets back on its feet. I wonder would a Mayo Taoiseach result in any additional government investment in the airport?
Commenting on the year ahead, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock said “2011 is expected to be the busiest year on record at Ireland West Knock, despite the current economic downturn, the airport will hope to serve over 650,000 passengers which reflects the increasing preference amongst passengers to fly direct to and from our region.
I suppose that would be dependent on all routes other then Dublin being a success and lasting the year but if the economy picks up any bit at all its an achievable target. Makes you wonder what could be achieved if and when the national economy gets back on its feet. I wonder would a Mayo Taoiseach result in any additional government investment in the airport?
Join Date: Dec 2010
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Jamie2k9, can i ask where you got this confidential information? because its acctually illegal to list or even display expected passenger numbers about any Departing Irish flights. Airports are only given the passenger figures after the flight departs on the day it has departed.
FR 737-800s carry 189 passengers. FR booking engine allows a party of up to 25 to book in one visit.
If J2K9 was on the booking engine and the maximum number of seats he could price for the flight is 20, it must mean the other 169 are sold.
I reckon it's as simple as that.
If J2K9 was on the booking engine and the maximum number of seats he could price for the flight is 20, it must mean the other 169 are sold.
I reckon it's as simple as that.
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I think all of us who work for fr can find out flight loads from the crew room or even customer service desks, but we shouldnt be posting information like that. Maybe say the loads look good 
fr-
fr-
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Jamie2k9, can i ask where you got this confidential information? because its acctually[sic] illegal to list or even display expected passenger numbers about any Departing Irish flights. Airports are only given the passenger figures after the flight departs on the day it has departed.
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FR 737-800s carry 189 passengers. FR booking engine allows a party of up to 25 to book in one visit.
If J2K9 was on the booking engine and the maximum number of seats he could price for the flight is 20, it must mean the other 169 are sold.
I reckon it's as simple as that.
If J2K9 was on the booking engine and the maximum number of seats he could price for the flight is 20, it must mean the other 169 are sold.
I reckon it's as simple as that.
I think all of us who work for fr can find out flight loads from the crew room or even customer service desks, but we shouldnt be posting information like that. Maybe say the loads look good 
fr-
fr-
I know load factors on French bound flights this evening and tomorrow from Dublin are going to have very high load factors... hope I don't get arrested!