• 20 Feb, 2008
• Business, Nature

Ireland West Airport Knock is delighted to confirm that An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the first phase of development of the Airport terminal building. An appeal had been made to An Bord Pleanála by a third party in September 2007 after Mayo County Council approved plans for the construction of a new extension to the existing terminal building at Ireland West Airport Knock. An Bord Pleanála has now approved the plans for these essential developments at the Airport site and the Airport confirms it will now proceed to go to tender with the aim of completing the works by the end of this year.

Welcoming the news, Mr. Robert Grealis, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock said:” We are delighted that we can now proceed with the expansion of the terminal building. This is wonderful news not only for the Airport but for our region. This development has been designed to cope with the design hour capacities needed to manage current demand and underpins the Airport’s goal of developing new short, medium and long haul international air routes essential for the sustained economic and tourism development of our wider catchment area which stems from Donegal in the North, to Galway to the South and the Border and Midlands region to the East. We will now be proceeding as quickly as possible to commence this work to provide additional space and enhance services for our customers. On behalf of the Board, management and staff at Ireland West Airport Knock, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who continue to support the Airport’s development.”

Currently, the Airport’s terminal building has a capacity to facilitate 500,000 annual passengers. At the conclusion of this initial phase of development it will be able to handle 800,000 passengers per annum. The expansion of the terminal building incorporates a new security screening area, an expanded check-in hall, additional departures capacity and services, enhancements to the baggage sorting facility in addition to other works. The second extension planned for 2009-2010 will provide additional arrivals area capacity and further develop the departures areas. This project forms part of the Airport’s €46m Capital Development Programme of which €27.1m will be funded by the Government‘s Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme for Regional Airports.

-ENDS-