[highlydebased]

Originally Posted by mayomaffia

Hopefully its the transfer of one of the SNN Heathrow routes to Knock to serve the business community in the West and North West...with an early departure.

lol, Dermot Mannion is gone from Aer Lingus you know! I doubt they'll make such a (costly) error again...

[MYOB]

Originally Posted by Neworder79

The opening times aren't rigid, they change every day to suit the schedule, E.g. the 6.30 service from Stansted (also open until 22:00 a few weeks back to accommodate an Italian charter).

The public transport doesn't run outside the standard opening hours, though.

[afatbollix]

Does anyone know know does flybe fly to leeds in the winter or is it just for the summer? It looks like they don't have any winter schedule on there website yet.

[mayomaffia]

Originally Posted by highlydebased

lol, Dermot Mannion is gone from Aer Lingus you know! I doubt they'll make such a (costly) error again...

There are no Heathrow connections at all to the West or North West via Knock, i think one would do quite well even from local business needs...

[MyNameis.com]

Originally Posted by mayomaffia

There are no Heathrow connections at all to the West or North West via Knock, i think one would do quite well even from local business needs...

[finchkerry]

Good news out of Knock recently..

Passenger numbers up 10% compared to June 2011, almost 70,000 passengers used the airport last month, busiest summer in history forecasted (from their twitter page)

Although I did hear that ryanair are pulling some of their European routes in September. I feel Knock really need a few other airlines into the airport to decrease the over reliance on Ryanair.

Any word on new routes coming? I thought a route to eastern Europe might do well or increased flights to London

[finchkerry]

Great new for Knock Airport, long may it last, August would naturally be a busy month. This taken from knocks Facebook page....

IWAK: We are delighted to say that August was the busiest month in the airports history with almost 90,000 passengers using the airport. Indeed this summer has been the busiest summer ever at the airport and we would like to say a big thank you to all our customers and friends for continuing to support your local airport -we very much appreciate your support and we are proud to be able to provide connections to over 28 International destinations for the people of the West and North West of Ireland

[mayomaffia]

Originally Posted by finchkerry

Great new for Knock Airport, long may it last, August would naturally be a busy month. This taken from knocks Facebook page....

IWAK: We are delighted to say that August was the busiest month in the airports history with almost 90,000 passengers using the airport. Indeed this summer has been the busiest summer ever at the airport and we would like to say a big thank you to all our customers and friends for continuing to support your local airport -we very much appreciate your support and we are proud to be able to provide connections to over 28 International destinations for the people of the West and North West of Ireland

Things are will get alot tougher for all these smaller airports, Kerry, Cork, SNN and Knock. Less and less disposable income = less flights and less weekend trips to Europe for stags and the like. Although with immigration some of the UK destinations may expand. The poor summer has really helped these airports. Good to see Knock still growing through all this and providing employment.

[Su Campu]

Although with the demise of BMI Baby this week that's one less route they have now

[eastmayo]

Air lingus regional has replaced bmi babys route to birmingham and flybe has replaced the manchester route...so no routes lost.

[irishbloke77]

Originally Posted by eastmayo

Air lingus regional has replaced bmi babys route to birmingham and flybe has replaced the manchester route...so no routes lost.

But an ATR and a dash 8 only replace about half the seats lost from the bmi Boeing 737 so a cut in seats by 50% on those routes but correct to say that the routes are not lost

[Tenger]

Originally Posted by irishbloke77

But an ATR and a dash 8 only replace about half the seats lost from the bmi Boeing 737 so a cut in seats by 50% on those routes but correct to say that the routes are not lost

Indeed, capacity has dropped....however these could actually allow these routes to operate in the further weakening of the economy.
No point flying a 50% full B737 when the ATR or Dash 8 can operate the same route at less cost and at 80+ load factor. I think more secure but less traffic is a better option than uncertain/less sustainable higher traffic levels.

[irishbloke77]

Originally Posted by Tenger

Indeed, capacity has dropped....however these could actually allow these routes to operate in the further weakening of the economy.
No point flying a 50% full B737 when the ATR or Dash 8 can operate the same route at less cost and at 80+ load factor. I think more secure but less traffic is a better option than uncertain/less sustainable higher traffic levels.

Would agree 100%. Whilst I have never flown out of here, it's great to see a regional airport not relying on a certain "ultra low fares" airline (as they now describe themselves) for all routes. Spreading the routes amongst reputable airlines pretty much guarantees good routes and reasonable prices and doesn't allow one airline to hold the airport over a barrel. As for the reduction in capacity, as you said, an 80% full ATR or Dash 8 is much better than a 40% 737.

This airport does seem to be the good news story of aviation in Ireland at the moment. Despite not have a city right beside like the other 3 bigger airports, it appears to be getting a large catchment area and the locals seem to be supporting.