IRELAND WEST AIRPORT KNOCK

[Jamie2k9]

As stated earlier passengers and the market decides which airport they will use and Knock despite all the "negatives " being portrayed here by some contributors defies the critics with strong growth .
I wonder why?

Our European friends don't have the same view as us Irish, wonder why?

This compares with €1.6 billion yes billon spent by the state owned DAA on the 3 state airports or 100 times what was granted to Knock. And as part of this €160 million was spent on the terminal and US border post in Shannon, or more than 10 times what was spent in Knock in the same period. To further compound this gov has now decided to bail out Shannon further with another €300m to ensure its survival .....and pay Knock lip service and tell them as recently quoted by minister Varadkar on mid west radio that its a "model airport" and that he uses it as an example to other airports on how they should run their business....if only this was true and gov would take on the DAA and now SAA monopoly in regard to running of airports. At the end of the day gov will ultimate decide on what happens Knock through aviation policy and mgt can only do what it can to try and present the facts to the region it serves

State owned DAA airports who are not looking for handouts from the Government, so they are intitled to spend it on improving facilities and most of it was badly needed.

Still on the bailout SNN news story, they would of received this 100 million over a few years if under the DAA, same difference when you think about it. If it wasn't for the DAA NOC would not be where it is today with the level of Ryaniar passengers. FR didn't want to know NOC back in 2006/7 compared to today.

So its fine for the DAA to give SNN millions yearly but its not for the Government.

I know for a fact that some pax are driving from Dub to IWAK to save money. I was talking to some people quite recently that said they saved €600 (between 3 of them) by flying from IWAK.

Its very few and that story seems a little far fetched in my book and it could be seen as a negative to NOC as carriers need to charge low amounts to get people on seats which won't be sustainable long term. and does that 600 saving include price of fuel to NOC, parking at NOC and ADF fee.

[CONAIR11]

All sorts of figures and wild statements been thrown around here. 300 million bailout. It wouldnt call it a bailout and it certainly wasnt 300m. Shannon didnt really have much say in its operation up untill now so it would not have been fair to expect it to maintain a legacy debt when gaining independence. If you really want to get into the details of the debt then dont convenientaly forget to mention Aer Rianta International.

[Mayfly1]

The €300m figure is being quoted publicly by mgt at Knock and various other public representatives, and I have not seen any government spokesperson deny this. Need one say more? If its not €300m plus then why dosent government publish the details of what the bailout package really is and be transparent nad dont hide behind the door? i think the reason is obvious why they wont do this .....It's made up of debt write off (€100m) , land assets transfer (€90m+), pension liability write off (€80m combined) , annual rent roll into airport €10m plus annually, once off cash payment to new airport company €6m plus, need we go on?

[Kinocker]

And even then they're not happy, still banging on about Aer Rianta International...

[fivejuliet]

And even then they're not happy, still banging on about Aer Rianta International...

With all due respect, I have not heard that mentioned since the start of January. I think they're over it.

[CONAIR11]

Seriously Mayfly I would love to know what land assetts transfer took place to the value of 90m?

[Angry Rebel]

@conair11 - The property portfolio of Shannon Development.

[takingoff]

Can anyone confirm the East Midlands - Knock rotation from April onwards?

If I am correct the Friday flight is changing to Saturday.

[Knock63]

Welcome Takingoff, As far as I can work out it's moved from Fri to Sat morning, Arrive Noc 09:45----- Dep Noc 10:10

[takingoff]

Thanks. To be fair the route on Saturday and it's timing works well with the return flight on Sunday at 18:40. People commuting to the East midlands areas or going getting away for the weekend get two near full days in the West.

[takingoff]

Any idea on pax numbers for January/February? I know these are slower months route wise but still interesting to note.

What are people thoughts on passenger numbers for 2013? I hope they can maintain the 685,000 from 2012. Realistically any growth on that would be an unbelievable achievement.

[sawtooth]

January provisional highlights:
EMA +74%
LGW +13%
STN -13%
MAN -14%
BHX - 49%

[takingoff]

I think in January 2012 it was 31,000 odd and 30,000 odd in 2010. Will 2013 follow these figures?

Please correct me if I'm wrong but is BHX low because of the smaller ATR 72 aer lingus regional fly compared to the larger capacity on bmibaby?

[Cian]

And a Dash8 vs a 737 for MAN?

[Kinocker]

They'll be doing well to get near last years' figures with Leeds, Beauvais and Hahn gone and the capacity reduction on Birmingham and Manchester. The extra London flights will help but it is only four rotations per week, albeit the loads should be good on a 738. 650k might be a realistic estimate overall?

Edit - forgot about Malaga, 650k should be achievable alright when you add that in. 675k would be really good going.

[takingoff]

If anything 650K will be some going, fingers crossed. Although a long shot maybe 'The Gathering' will drum up a few more tourists from the UK over the summer months however I wouldn't hold my breath!!

Is it too late for any new flights for the forthcoming summer to be announced? Where they could come from is the question although it does suprise me at times theres no link to Eastern Europe/Poland from Knock. Would have thought there would be a decent amount of demand from Sligo/Galway.

[EI-A330-300]

Flybe restore the Tue and Thur MAN flights from 22 May, it will then be back daily for the remaining summer schedule.

[takingoff]

Provisional February Figures

Route – PAX Carried – Up/Down on February 2012 – Percentage change of Total

Gatwick – 5024 - down 307 PAX -6
Luton - Not available
Stansted – 6891 - down 381 PAX -5
Birmingham – 1437 - down 1805 PAX -56
Bristol – 2166 - No Feb 2011 Figures
East Midlands – 3672 - up 390 PAX +12
Edinburgh - No service - down 520 PAX
Liverpool – 6099 - down 256 PAX -4
Manchester - 1296 down 153 PAX -11

Hope they are all right, please correct if not. Anything to be concerned about above?

[sawtooth]

Lack of ILS on 09 leading to a few diversions in recent weeks, FAO today. Down to unusually long spell of easterly winds, above tailwind minima for ILS approach on 27 which rarely have any problem.

In fairness ORK, SNN, CFN, KIR and DUB all had weather diversions in last week, but not great advertising if the weather trend continues.

Not that there will be any infrastructure investment in near future, department still discussing terms of reference for airport study with the original deadline just a month off...

[EI-A330-300]

In fairness ORK, SNN, CFN, KIR and DUB all had weather diversions in last week, but not great advertising if the weather trend continues.

Don't tell me the people from the North West would turn their backs on NOC because of a few diversions.

Not that there will be any infrastructure investment in near future, department still discussing terms of reference for airport study with the original deadline just a month off...

I would not expect any infrastructure investment after the study is done.