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A record number of passengers flew via Knock airport last year

Their London services were particularly popular.

MORE THAN 700,000 passengers flew via Knock Airport last year – the highest figure ever in its 29 year history.

The annual number of passengers using the airport in 2014 increased by over 38,000 to 703,324 – a jump of 5.7% on the previous year.

Ireland West Airport now flies to over 20 international destinations and is served by three of Europe’s major International airlines: Aer Lingus, Flybe and Ryanair.

August was the airport’s busiest month in history, with a total of 102,774 passengers passing through the terminal. This marked the first time that more than 100,000 people used the airport in a calendar month.

Last year saw a major increase in traffic to and from the UK (the airport’s biggest market), with passenger numbers up 9.4% on 2013 numbers.

An extra 44,000 people flew on Ryanair’s London services to Stansted and Luton (a 20% increase), while Aer Lingus’s London Gatwick service grew by 6%. Flybe services to Manchester and Birmingham also performed strongly with passenger numbers up 9% across both routes.

Joe Gilmore, Managing Director at Ireland West Airport Knock, thanked customers, staff and tourism groups for making 2014 a record-breaking year.

We are delighted to have had a record year in 2014 with record numbers on almost all of our services, highlighting the airports importance as the main international gateway for the West and North West of Ireland, and indeed the Wild Atlantic Way.

Last year, the facility underwent a number of upgrades including the installation of an airport-wide CCTV system, costing €200,000. A €1.7 million upgrade of the Runway End Safety Area and aircraft turning circle was also completed in 2014, to meet existing regulatory requirements.

It was recently announced that seven local authorities have agreed in principle to make investments in the airport. These include both Galway city and county councils, together with Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon and Mayo county councils.

Flight cancelled? You could be owed up to €600

Flying high: August was Knock Airport’s busiest month in history

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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:30 PM

    Fair fooks to all involved. Ashamed to say I’d not known it was on.

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    Mute Rob Cunningham
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    Nov 14th 2013, 12:10 AM

    When is the next one?

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    Mute Bobby
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:42 PM

    What a great city

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    Mute Gerard McCarthy
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:18 AM

    Was there only one photographer in dublin, couldn’t have got a pic outside Dublin no? Typical!! Not to put dampener on it as was great cause fair play to those who ran, just a gentle reminder to media life exists outside of DUBLIN!!!!

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    Mute Derek Gannon
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:25 AM

    G’wan the chip on the shoulder. . . .

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    Mute Gerard McCarthy
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:52 AM

    Feckin dubs ha!!

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    Mute Cian Hulm
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:03 AM

    Does it really?

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    Mute Derek Gannon
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:03 AM

    Ah sure we’re all friends. . . I’m sure there will be photos of the cork run somewhere tomorrow.all the journalists on the score.ie are too busy trying to come up with more Roy keane articles for us then to worry about the night run anywhere else!!

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    Mute Dominique Lavin
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:55 PM

    Well done to everyone involved in this including my amazing brother in law Gary Seery all the running for such good causes :)

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    Mute Mark Doran
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    Nov 14th 2013, 5:57 AM

    Ran the race last night, had a great time :) thanks to all the organisers & volunteers for their free time & support. Well Done to all all over the Country & further a field.

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    Mute Fecky Din
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:54 PM

    Saw one of these in Vienna a couple weeks ago..really cool idea

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    Mute peter gaffney
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    Nov 14th 2013, 5:58 AM

    Should be ran in the phoniex park.

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    Mute Daniel Dunne
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    Nov 14th 2013, 4:32 PM

    Except for the lack of street lighting away from Chesterfield Avenue, it’s a nicer run but not practical for a run in the dark.

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    Mute Caroline Farrell
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:46 PM

    I ran in Kilkenny with some friends.lovely night for it

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    Mute peter gaffney
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    Nov 15th 2013, 1:36 AM

    The reason i was suggesting it should be ran in the park is for a number of obvious reasons.
    Free traffic congestion
    Free parking where ever you want.
    Free lighting (generatated lighting).
    Don’t get me wrong i agree with the purpose of the run for charities and all that and i salute everybody that run’s the race…..just think its more of a suitable place.

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