Airport Development Fee
A Development Fee of €10 is charged to all departing passengers from Ireland West Airport Knock aged 12 years and over. This is a service charge which the Airport charges for the use of its facilities and as a contribution toward infrastructure developments, including passenger and airline services, ongoing maintenance and operation of this airport. The services include terminal facilities, safety and security, airline services such as air traffic control, navigational aids, runway systems, aircraft parking, and fire services.
All airports charge for their services. Most collect fees through the airlines which you see included as taxes, fees and charges at the time of booking and paying for your airline ticket. Our Development Fee forms part of our overall service charges, and we choose to charge this fee in an open and transparent manner. All airlines, tour operators and travel agents have been notified of our service charge and have been requested to make passengers aware of it before booking travel out of our Airport. We have advised them to publish it on all their relevant communications including their websites, with the option of linking to our website for the explanations in full
For more information click on the links below:
- What is the Development Fee?
-
The Development Fee is a fee charged by Ireland West Airport Knock to build appropriate
passenger services such as arrivals, departures, catering, and shopping facilities.
The Development Fee is also used to improve aircraft services such as the runway,
safety and security systems for safe landing, take-off and efficient management
of aircraft.
- Why do I have to pay the Development Fee?
-
The income we receive from airlines is not enough to cover the huge ongoing investment
needed to provide services that meet airline and international regulatory standards.
Passenger numbers have increased significantly over the last number of years and
are expected to grow to close to one million by 2014. The Airport company has to
build and pay for the infrastructure and services to meet the needs of both the
passengers and the aircraft that fly them. A large portion of this investment has
to be funded by the Airport itself from the Development Fee.
- Does Government Grant Aid and Support not
cover this funding gap?
-
No. Most grant aid given by the Government needs to be matched by the Airport from
its own resources. The Development Fee is critical to bridging this gap. As a non-state
airport, Ireland West Airport Knock re-invests its available resources into the
continued development of the Airport for the benefit of the region and its customers.
- Do I pay more at Ireland West Airport Knock
than any other airport?
-
Ireland West Airport’s fees and charges (inclusive of our €10 Development Fee) are
competitive, both against Irish and UK airports. Comparison of airport fees and
charges on return airline tickets conducted by Ireland West Airport Knock showed
that charges from Ireland West Airport Knock (including our €10 Development Fee)
are very competitive when compared to charges from other airports in Ireland including
Dublin, Shannon, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Sligo and Kerry. As children under 12
years do not pay the Development Fee, it makes our Airport even cheaper.
In addition, we offer very competitive Airport Car Parking Rates compared to other
International airports in Ireland.
- Do other airports charge for the use of their
facilities?
-
Yes. All airports charge for their services. Most collect fees through the airlines
which you see included as taxes, fees and charges at the time of booking and paying
for your airline ticket. Our Development Fee forms part of our overall service charges,
and we choose to charge this fee in an open and transparent manner.
All airlines, tour operators and travel agents have been notified of our service
charge and have been requested to make passengers aware of it before booking travel
out of our Airport. We have advised them to publish it on all their relevant communications
including their websites, with the option of linking to our website for the explanations
in full.
- How do I pay the Development Fee?
-
You can pay this fee by cash, laser (debit) or credit card before going through
to the departure lounge or at any point in the retail or catering areas, or at the
dedicated Development Fee desk before security screening where change for Sterling
notes can also be provided.
- What happens if I do not pay the Development
Fee?
-
The Airport reserves the right to refuse to handle any passenger unless he/she has
paid the Fee.
- What is the Development Fee spent on?
-
The Development Fee has been spent on the following projects:
- Terminal Building: Enhanced main concourse with new Check-In and Information Area.
- Catering and Retail: Further development of Catering and Retail facilities offering
more choices for dining and shopping for ever increasing passenger numbers.
- Security: Doubling of passenger security screening equipment, as well as enhanced
safety and security.
- Departures: New Departures Lounge and Retail Area
- Arrivals: New Arrivals Hall extension
- Car Hire: Dedicated rental offices in the Terminal and Car Park
- Perimeter fence and Inspection Road: Completed in August 2007 to meet international
safety and security regulations.
- Landing Systems: Upgrade to CAT II Instrument landing system to further reduce diversions.
- Runway: Runway End Safety Area and Turnpads which commenced in 2008 and was completed
in May 2009.
In the coming 24 months the Development Fee will be spent on maintaining all the
above, as well as the implementation of the following projects:
- Apron Expansion: Extra parking for 5 aircraft at the Terminal to handle more flights
to/from the UK, Europe and USA.
- Who exempt from payment of the Development
Fee?
-
Ireland West Airport Knock makes the following payment exceptions under the following
circumstances:
- The core policy is that all departing passengers aged 12 years and over, pay this
charge.
- Ireland West Airport Knock recognises its role as a key player in providing air
access for pilgrimages to the shrine at Knock and other shrines abroad. As such,
the airport takes the position that for pilgrim flights only (Knock, Lourdes, Fatima,
Medugorje), invalids and the carer (1) accompanying them will be exempt from the
€10 Development Fee service charge, subject to two weeks advance notice of the names
of such passengers being furnished in writing by the organiser/tour operator to
Ireland West Airport Knock Operations department.
Further information and feedback
If you were unaware of our service charge at the time of booking, you should discuss this with the airline or travel provider you booked your ticket with. Otherwise, you can provide feedback to the Airport marketing department in writing (subject heading ‘Development Fee’) at Ireland West Airport Knock, Charlestown, Co Mayo, by emailing info@irelandwestairport.com or by clicking here.
For details of the Airport’s Fees and Charges, click here.