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History of Ireland West Airport Knock

History The establishment of Ireland West Airport Knock was the brain child of Monsignor James Horan in the 1980’s,at a time of widespread economic stagnation and mass emigration from the West of Ireland. Monsignor James Horan, Parish Priest of Knock, and a group of key supporters had the extraordinary vision to build an international Airport which to many seemed unrealistic and unattainable.

The project was the subject of much public debate and media attention. The building of the Airport is a remarkable story of one man’s and a region’s pursuit of a dream and the steadfast determination to keep going until the project was achieved. Ireland West Airport Knock is the people’s Airport as it is a monument to a community’s determination to turn its fortune in time of economic hardship. It has been the subject of much media attention and a number of books have been written on its history.

 

 

In 2006, the Airport was rebranded from "Knock International Airport" to "Ireland West Airport Knock" an indication of the airport’s drive and strategy to become recognised as an international airport on a global scale and to act as a signifier to the location of the airport as the main airport in the West of Ireland – a factor which has been important in attracting the interest of UK, European and US flights.

Today, Ireland West Airport Knock’s development and growth is ongoing and it remains a vital piece of infrastructure for the social and economical benefit of those living, working and holidaying in the West and North West of Ireland.

 

Ireland West Airport Knock Timeline
 2010  Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline' announces new service to Edinburgh to commence April 19th 2011
Ireland West Knock welcomes bmibaby's 800,000th passenger on their Manchester & Birmingham services
Ryanair announces major expansion from Ireland West Airport Knock with three new routes to the Canary islands
New Musical celebrating the life and times of Monsignor James Horan premieres at the Royal Theatre Castlebar
Ryanair launches new scheduled flights to Leeds Bradford and Reus-Barcelona
Bus Eireann commences new daily bus services to Ireland West Airport Knock from Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Derry, Sligo, Donegal
2009 Ryanair announces 2nd new scheduled European service to Faro-Algarve in Portuagal to commence in 2010
Airport launches brand new website offering live flight information and enhanced travel features
New Managing Director, Joe Gilmore, appointed at Ireland West Airport Knock
Aer Lngus launches new daily flights to London gatwick Airport
Leading Tour Operator Panorama and Sunworld launches new charter holiday programme to Faro-Algarve
Leading Tour Operator Sunway launches new charter holiday programme to Lanzarote
Ryanair announces first ever scheduled European flights from the airport with new twice weekly service to Alicante
2008 is Ireland West Knocks busiest year, passenger numbers up 13% to 629,000
 2008  New expanded retail area opens at Ireland West Airport Knock
Aer Lingus announces new daily service to London Gatwick to commence April 6th 2009
Ireland West Airport Knock Commences Work on the Long Awaited CAT II Instrument Landing System & Runway Improvements
New service to Liverpool commences
bmibaby commences scheduled services from Ireland West Knock to Glasgow International
Ireland West Airport Knock Gets Full Time Garda Presence and Immigration Unit to Support its Continued Development
 2007  XL.com commences their first scheduled services from Ireland West Knock to London Gatwick
bmibaby announces the introduction of a new scheduled service direct to Glasgow
Flyglobespan operates the first scheduled transatlantic flights to New York and Boston - a breakthrough ahead of Open Skies!
Ryanair commences flight services to East Midlands and Bristol
Ireland West Airport Knock receives €27.1 million from the Irish Government to support its €48 million investment programme
Ireland West Airport Knock commences the Development infrastructure projects
2006 Airport celebrates its 20th anniversary
Over 25 Destinations served in UK and Europe
Airport voted Best Regional Airport for second time
2005 Milestone of over half a million annual passengers
Airport supports 1,100 jobs in region and contributes €52 million in tourism spend
New daily UK services introduced by airlines bmibaby, easyjet and Ryanair
2004 bmibaby begins daily services to Manchester
First Snow and Ski charters
Airport employs over 120 people directly
2003 MyTravelite commence daily services to Birmingham
Dramatic increase in sun holiday charter destinations
1999 Annual passenger numbers in excess of 200,000
1995 Aer Lingus operates regular Birmingham service
1992 Ryanair commences London Stansted Route
1990 Charter flights to Paris and Lourdes and from New York and Boston
1988 Within two years, annual passenger numbers exceed 100,000
1986 New Irish airline, Ryanair, begins London Luton Route
Official opening of the airport on 30th May
Monsignor Horan dies in Lourdes on 1st August
Over 20-30 people employed at the airport
1985 The Vision becomes a reality! The first commercial flights, three Aer Lingus Boeing aircraft, took off on a pilgrimage to Rome on 25th October
1983 First phase of the runway completed
1981 First sod cut
1980 Breakthrough! The visionary Monsignor James Horan and Connacht Airport
Committee’s proposed new airport at Knock gets Government backing