IRELAND WEST AIRPORT KNOCK

[VickersVicount]

Yes some moderate increases over the peak summer months, but that, I suppose is to be expected. The months either side used to be dire on occasion and im guessing the only reason its survived overall is to keep it summer only, which seems far more appropriate and should allow its continued operation.

[Kinocker]

Loads definitely seem to be holding up well this year, 60 of us on board yesterday. But yes, winter loads have been poor previously other than around holiday periods. If running it seasonally is what is needed to keep it going then suspending it for the winter is the correct decision.

[EI-A330-300]

Flybe are stopping MAN flights between 6/1/14 to 2/2/14. Would imagine that BHX will follow in the next few weeks.

[Fly_bill]

I see they doing the same in shannon also with the new Glasgow flight and also in Waterford with the BHX and MAN flights , the new CEO obviously looking to manage Cost base during the winter

[mart901]

bhx-noc may be left running as it will have only had 2 clear months operation by the time January is upon us. Its only had a months lead in time to start with.

[Kinocker]

Ireland West Airport Knock

Good to see a bit of stabilisation with a small amount of growth recorded in September. Overall this hasn't been a bad year for the airport and it has been shown that passenger numbers around the 650k mark can be maintained year on year at Knock. On the negative side it is difficult to see where any substantial growth is going to come from in the short term, although MOL's recent comments about new routes at Knock next year will hopefully amount to something.

Welcoming a second consecutive month of growth, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock said “Its been extremely encouraging to see such strong numbers continuing to use the airport. Its been one of our busiest summers on record and what has been most noticeable is the regional spread of passengers travelling on our services. We have seen significant increases in the number of people using the airport from the likes of Donegal, Westmeath and the Galway region in particular, highlighting the convenience of the airport but also the important role the airport plays in servicing the wider West, North West and Midlands regions of Ireland’

Also good to see that numbers on my own regular route from the airport to Edinburgh were up 20% in August compared to last year. A quick calculation suggests that this amounts to a load of 71% or 55 passengers per flight. Justification perhaps for a frequency increase next summer?

[Knock63]

I hear the late fri and sun STN flights that were due in around 21:00 have been pulled back to 18:30 Great to see the management recognising what the majority of pax need and totally ignoring them. All this talk of growth and they're turning the place into a part time airport, last flight on a wednesday and saturday is @13:30, they're making themselves the laughing stock of Irish aviation. Well done boys and girls Well done!!!!

[EI-A330-300]

Given the reduced hours this winter a late flight shouldn't be a problem, last year they were open till 5 most days so with the reduced hours this year they should be able to accommodate two late nights.

This comes days after fr announced late KIR flights will continue after an IT glitch restored the old times.

NOC management should stop offering below cost airport charges as it's this reason why passengers are suffering. They don't need a major increase but if the airport want cater for passengers it's got to increase them.

I'm sure the airport staff read these forums so it's time to listen up and do something to benefit passenger and don't use the blame game and gov are to blame. It's the below cost airport charges that are.

[Mayfly1]

Don't honestly see what all the fuss is about,for me the timings work well for the new services getting me into Knock at 6.30pm on a Friday evening is good and a 7pm departure back Sunday evening is perfect as I have enough time to get back to my London base at a reasonable time. The later return on Sunday was going to be difficult as most people returning back to London have to travel another 1-2 hours after getting to stansted. Well done to the airport for getting these services in place I hope they are supported by the region and the moaners go elsewhere

[Knock63]

The moaners, as you put it, have no other choice BUT to go somewhere else my friend, that's REALLY going to help with the growth, but as long as you're happy then we can all relax, I'm sure that'll help all of the staff sleep soundly tonight !!
No FR flight to LPL on a wednesday, with ALL the mid-week football fans that use that service is an absolute master stroke. As I said earlier, and it hurts me to say it, but they're turning IWAK into even more of a part-time airport than it already is. So like you say Mayfly 1, WELL DONE to the airport, WELL DONE!! (Please read in an ironic tone).

[Kinocker]

OK, so Ryanair are talking about growth from all of the Irish airports they serve next year (other than LDY of course) thanks to the removal of the travel tax. I'm sure each airport will have its own list of suggestions based on their existing routes and their requirements in terms of route development, but what might be on the shortlist for Knock that Ryanair could provide?

More sun destinations or increased frequencies to the existing ones?

Increased frequencies to London - maybe a double daily STN?

Another shot at a north of England route?

Prestwick if the Scottish government takeover there leads to expansion?

Return of the euro routes - Germany in particular worth another shot?

Poland?

Or will we see virtually all of this talked about capacity increase taking place at DUB?


Quite a few of those suggestions are unlikely enough of course - I'm just throwing them out there. Anyone else have any realistic suggestions? I remain of the view that the big missing link at Knock is a direct connection to a major hub - but that's not going to come via Ryanair of course.

[EI-A330-300]

Would expect it will be UK and Sun services from NOC new and increased freq. Can't see a return to Germany when 3 euro won't make a big difference to the poor numbers on them.

Would expect SNN to take a good slice of the capacity.

[Kinocker]

The airport looks forward to further positive developments in the near future resulting from the finalisation of the Government steering group report' chaired by Deputy John O’ Mahony on the future options for growth for the Airport

I'd completely forgotten about that report. It will be interesting to see if the good intentions that will no doubt be included within it are ever backed up by any tangible government assistance for the development of the facility.

[iwak]

My wish list for ryanair would be the following.

Palma x 2 wkly

Malaga x 3 wkly

Reus x 2 wkly

Pik x 2/3 wkly ( would be afraid it would effect edi)

Stn 2 daily ( lgw might not survive extra capacity to stn)early am and late pm.

It's proven sun routes work well from noc , I know it's not inbound tourism but if thats what fill seats so be it.

Germanwings will provide enough capacity to Germany in 2014

[Jack1985]

A wish list of mainly bucket and spade routes? Wow, real sustainable! Let's hope management at Knock have more sense.

[iwak]

Jack1985. You are obviously not so knowledgeable about noc's passenger profile.business routes to the likes of Paris Frankfurt etc simply don't work.noc is located in a rural area between the urban centres of Sligo and Galway with Galway very close to Shannon. Most traffic is leisure with maybe 25% business on uk routes.all other routes to knock are sun routes which have remained the cornerstone of growth which the airport has achieved over the last 5 years.

To state that bucket and spade routes are unsustainable is a little ignorant.

Frankfurt and Paris were introduced in April 2012 but were axed in sept 2012 due to dire loads!

Point made.

[Jack1985]

business routes to the likes of Paris Frankfurt etc simply don't work

Frankfurt and Paris were introduced in April 2012 but were axed in sept 2012 due to dire loads!

They could if they were promoted and most probably on a seasonal basis (June-August an example). Kerry supports a Frankfurt route year-round pretty well.

To state that bucket and spade routes are unsustainable is a little ignorant.

What's also a little ignorant is the fact that apparently new jobs will be created, when really you have all this capacity in the Summer and a fall off, of nearly 40% capacity in the winter that means employment is extremely seasonal, not sustained. Given our current situation, inbound tourism should be pursued vigorously and it can be, as this with outbound demand can balance year-round performance. The gathering is testament to that.

[ryan2000]

Inbound tourism is the way to go. Knock and Cork in particular have become far too bucket and spade orientated in recent years. In Knock's case they have some of the most beautiful scenery in WesternEurope and they should be trying to capture the type of tourist that used the French German and Dutch charters to Shannon in the past.

[840]

It's implicit that an increase in inbound tourism numbers is expected if the tax is to stay at 0 (Everything I've seen suggests it has been reduced to 0, but not abolished; this would make it easy to resurrect if desired). The focus is very much on increasing the number of visitors, not improving business connectivity and certainly not sending Irish people out of the country on holiday.

I would have thought for Knock, UK routes offer the most potential, but FR could also consider Beauvais (although it would need to operate as a W), Eindhoven, Charleroi and may risk a return to Germany.

[malc77]

Bristol to Knock or Shannon Summer 2014

Hi- No flights this winter period from BRS to Knock or Shannon. Any info/ideas on whether flights will run next summer period - and possibly extend into the winter 2014 period?
Amazing there are no flights from SW England to West Ireland.
Thanks.