Is the highway robbery at Knock a permanent feature?

Fionn MacCool

I'm sure the whole moaning about being scammed out of a tenner at Knock has been done to death on here, not that that makes it any less absurd, but I was wondering if it's a permanent thing? I'm not entirely sure what excuse they use for the charge but I assumed it was so we could fund the development. Has that been covered yet? It's a shít heap of an airport so can't have cost much to build really.

Wouldn't mind if they just included it in the fare cost, like airport tax or w/e is. Or if they actually informed you about it when you were booking your flight (they say they do, but this is a complete lie).

Out of interest, what would happen if you didn't have the money on you? Would you really be denied departure having paid for your ticket and everything?

Have to admit it's an novel take on highway robbery. I've suggested before that the person sitting in the booth wears a balaclava, think it would round off the whole situation.

rossie1977

its been in place since the end of duty free in the eu so yes its a permanent feature

Stinicker

rossie1977 wrote: »

its been in place since the end of duty free in the eu so yes its a permanent feature

I've never flown from Knock or even been to the place but I've only ever had to pay the departure tax upon departing in cash like that in other Airport and that was in Brunei.

Fionn MacCool

rossie1977 wrote: »

its been in place since the end of duty free in the eu so yes its a permanent feature

I don't understand how the two are linked

Blanchguy

That's because you are not from Mayo.

Lapin

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

I don't understand how the two are linked

Duty Free was a huge earner for small airports like Knock and Cork where the majority of destinations from these airports are within the EU.

When EU Duty Free was aboloshed, sales fell sharply meaning less revenue for the airports. Ferry companies also too a big hit.

I haven't flown from Knock for years and had forgotten about the sneaky €10 charge. I wonder has anyone ever challenged it. I've never heard of anyone refused boarding for not paying.

I think Kerry airport has / had a similar charge ?

ardmacha

Sneaky it may be, but how do you propose they fund the airport? Mick O'leary will not be adding on charges on his tickets.

Fionn MacCool

ardmacha wrote: »

Sneaky it may be, but how do you propose they fund the airport? Mick O'leary will not be adding on charges on his tickets.

I presumed airlines paid for use of the airport. Surely this scam isn't the only revenue stream for them? What about the 12 quid they charge for a fish supper that costs about €1 to produce?

Daisy M

Dont Knock Knock!! Airlines like Ryanair negotiate really low payments to small airports like Knock, this is why they fly into airports on the far outskirts of cities its much cheaper. Waiting and queuing times are way less than at larger airports. You can park your car and be in the terminal in less than 5 min. Baggage is off the plane within minutes of entering departures. You dont have to eat there stop off in Charlestown for a meal if you are hungry or eat before you leave home.

You call it a ****e heap but this airport is a fantastic commodity for people in the west and having used it for 20years I can see a big difference from the early days.

wallpaper12

Dont understand people defending this. Surely Cork would be a very similar airport to Knock and they certianly dont have the charge so whats Knock reasoning?

Avns1s

wallpaper12 wrote: »

Dont understand people defending this. Surely Cork would be a very similar airport to Knock and they certianly dont have the charge so whats Knock reasoning?

A bit of research before you post would be a help!!!






About DAA


DAA's principal activities include the operation and management of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports and global airport retailing through our subsidiary Aer Rianta International (ARI). The company is State-owned, headquartered at Dublin Airport, and employs 3,000 people. Group turnover in 2011 was €557 million.

Source

That makes Cork pretty DISsimilar!

Leper

Listen Guys, this airport tax is not unusual. Several airports around europe does this. Dont knock Knock either. You are living in the west, you can drive to Knock Airport within an hour, the tax is not a huge amount to pay for the convenience.

If you live in the west and dont want to pay the airport tax, then drive to Dublin Airport, pay a fortune to park your car, stay overnight in some hotel to make that early flight. At the end of your holiday find your car and spend 60 minutes trying to get out of the airport compound and fight your way through traffic to get to the west. You need a full tank of petrol also.

Fionn MacCool

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

I presumed airlines paid for use of the airport. Surely this scam isn't the only revenue stream for them? What about the 12 quid they charge for a fish supper that costs about €1 to produce?

Why don't you just use another airport then ?? Surely your not using it because it is cheaper to travel to or has cheaper flights or is quicker to pass through ?

This airport is self funding and was setup as a trust to serve the people of the West and North West, which it has been very successful at with passenger numbers increasing year over year. Its probably the most efficient airport in the country with some of the cheapest flights leaving the country. There is no profit for anybody in this airport it goes straight back into the airport to help expansion and running costs.

Its odd that most of the Knock moaners cannot even work out how much it would cost to travel to another airport, or eat in another airport. If they actually traveled beyond one or two main international airports they would realise just how common departure taxes are, central america, Cuba, SE Asia, India, China, East Africa.... Maybe you'd like Knock airport staff to give you money to use the self funding airport ??

I don't understand some of the Knock moaners, just use another airport if you don't like it and waste your money there.:rolleyes: Taxpayers just bailed out Shannon for 100 million of its debt from running costs and looks like it will continue to do so for the time been, i don't see any of you moaning about that even thought it works out at €25 for everybody in the country even if you don't use the airport. If taxpayers were willing to cancel all Knocks debt in the same way they would remove the 10 euro departure tax. Maybe you moaners should spent you time lobbying for Knock to be treated the same way as Shannon. Unlike other airports and some posters, Maybe Knock doesn't moan enough......

mayotom

wallpaper12 wrote: »

Dont understand people defending this. Surely Cork would be a very similar airport to Knock and they certianly dont have the charge so whats Knock reasoning?

Very simple, you subsidise cork through your taxes

Fionn MacCool

It's a bit like building a cinema and charging people a tenner to watch a film, after they've paid for a ticket to watch a film.

dingding

I find knock brilliant the couple of times a year that I use it. Over the years they have improved the terminal. I have no problem paying for the airport the tenner is good value if it keeps it opened and developed.

Gatica

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

It's a bit like building a cinema and charging people a tenner to watch a film, after they've paid for a ticket to watch a film.

You're right, if it were any other business people may kick up more of a fuss. However, as it is, right now there are direct airport charges at many airports around the world, therefore, Knock is not all the different.

Avns1s

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

It's a bit like building a cinema and charging people a tenner to watch a film, after they've paid for a ticket to watch a film.

It's not a bit like what you describe. You are not paying twice.

Ireland West Airport Knock has a different business model to the other airports in Ireland due to it not being state funded in terms of its operation and also its reliance on the low cost airlines line Ryanair, who will not pay airport charges of any significant scale.

The fee at IWAK is therefore your airport fees and charges by another method. These are in your flight price at other airports.

Overall, look at the ticket price, development fee, parking charges and convenience. If it suits, use Knock Airport. If it doesn't don't, but at least let those of us who want the convenience and value of it to use it in peace without having these narrow minded comments about the Airport and its development fee.

subway

Do they tell you about this when you book? If so i dont see the problem, its just another charge.
If they hit you with it on arrival at the airpot, and would refuse you flying if you dont pay, then thats incredibly sneaky.

Op isnt clear, can anyone clarify when you are told about the fee?

the_syco

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

Wouldn't mind if they just included it in the fare cost

TBH, with the "hidden" tenner in mind, it's one more point against Knock.

Deleted User wrote: »

If they actually traveled beyond one or two main international airports they would realise just how common departure taxes are, central america, Cuba, SE Asia, India, China, East Africa.... Maybe you'd like Knock airport staff to give you money to use the self funding airport ??

Do they tell you beforehand, or let you think you saved money like going to Knock only to find out too late that you haven't really?

subway wrote: »

Do they tell you about this when you book? If so i dont see the problem, its just another charge.
If they hit you with it on arrival at the airpot, and would refuse you flying if you dont pay, then thats incredibly sneaky.

Op isnt clear, can anyone clarify when you are told about the fee?

You get told about the fee when you goto the customs part. Didn't have any knowledge of it when the flights were booked.

Next time I'll just goto Dublin airport.

subway

Thats ridiculous then, the nca should step in here.
What would happen if you arrrive at the airport with no money?

kippy

Let me just say, I love handing over that tenner on departure. It beats the crap outta heading to Dublin (a 2 hour Journey from Galway) through two tolls (about 10 euro each way alone), parking in a ridiculously expensive car park, queuing for this, for that, never knowing how busy it might be at security, walking about a mile to a departure gate, herded onto the plane, then on return waiting for baggage return for the two hour drive back again.
Knock provides an easily accessible, convenient airport with increasing numbers of flights that open up the west of Ireland to the rest of the world, if this departure tax helps to that and increase the numbers of flights there, I am all for it.
The only potential negative is for some people, it is not that obvious until you get to the airport that there is a departure tax, but I would rather pay it directly to the airport than via the airline ticket charge (as I am assuming it works out cheaper for everyone if it goes direct to the airport).

kippy

kippy wrote: »

Let me just say, I love handing over that tenner on departure. It beats the crap outta heading to Dublin (a 2 hour Journey from Galway) through two tolls (about 10 euro each way alone), parking in a ridiculously expensive car park, queuing for this, for that, never knowing how busy it might be at security, walking about a mile to a departure gate, herded onto the plane, then on return waiting for baggage return for the two hour drive back again.
Knock provides an easily accessible, convenient airport with increasing numbers of flights that open up the west of Ireland to the rest of the world, if this departure tax helps to that and increase the numbers of flights there, I am all for it.
The only potential negative is for some people, it is not that obvious until you get to the airport that there is a departure tax, but I would rather pay it directly to the airport than via the airline ticket charge (as I am assuming it works out cheaper for everyone if it goes direct to the airport).

I think some people are just too stupid to understand that or else have a begrudgery to the success of Knock Airport. To the others it Simply comes down to if you dont like it don't use it, go to DUB or Cork. As i said before every taxpayer in the country just paid €50 each for the shannon airport bailout even if you dont use it and there is hardly any moaning about it. 750 thousand people and increasing appear to be happy using Knock airport. Most people in the West would be happy handing over €20 as it still works out cheaper than travelling to other airports. Especially with the cheaper flights from Knock compared to the other airports.

You really do have to wonder about the motives of some of the posters here:rolleyes: why bash a successful profitable airport that because of a lack of infrastructure was setup by the people of the west of Ireland to service the west and North west of Ireland and that pays for itself ?? Its a pity there wasn't more public infrastructure like it. Now if the government treated it like shannon there would be no €10 departure tax, you'd just pay it in your taxes instead, but that would not be fair to those that don't use it. If people want to see private enterprise and efficiency strive ahead of state bailouts then they should support it not Knock it.

subway

subway wrote: »

Thats ridiculous then, the nca should step in here.
What would happen if you arrrive at the airport with no money?

So you travel without any money or credit/debit cards ??? or do you rely on the charity that you expect to use Knock airport :rolleyes:. All the staff there must work for free ?. You must be starving when you come back home

Gatica

Deleted User wrote: »

it Simply comes down to if you dont like it don't use it, go to DUB or Cork.

I think the fact that people don't know about the charge until they're at the airport takes that choice away from them.
I personally have no issue with the charge as I've seen it at other airports, but for anyone that doesn't know about it til they arrive at the airport, I can see how that would be a nuisance.

P. Breathnach

It's part of a strategy of throwing sand in people's eyes so that they find it nearly impossible to compare prices. Most airports collect the passenger processing charge from the airline; Knock and Kerry collect it directly from the passenger. This allows carriers like Ryanair to pretend that a flight from Knock is €10 cheaper than it actually is.

The passenger processing charge for Dublin is €10.76, hardly a great difference url]http://www.aviationreg.ie/Regulation_of_Airport_Charges__Dublin_Airport/Default.117.html[/url . But Ryanair vociferously attack Dublin for its high charges, and are very quiet about Knock.

P. Breathnach

P. Breathnach wrote: »

It's part of a strategy of throwing sand in people's eyes so that they find it nearly impossible to compare prices. Most airports collect the passenger processing charge from the airline; Knock and Kerry collect it directly from the passenger. This allows carriers like Ryanair to pretend that a flight from Knock is €10 cheaper than it actually is.

The passenger processing charge for Dublin is €10.76, hardly a great difference url]http://www.aviationreg.ie/Regulation_of_Airport_Charges__Dublin_Airport/Default.117.html[/url . But Ryanair vociferously attack Dublin for its high charges, and are very quiet about Knock.

Ryanair have Knock over a barrel at the moment, they will not allow it to be added to the ticket price. There is rumors though of two other eastern europe airlines starting routes from there. IMO i can see all not state airports (NOC,SNN, Kerry) using this model to pay for itself.

kippy

P. Breathnach wrote: »

It's part of a strategy of throwing sand in people's eyes so that they find it nearly impossible to compare prices. Most airports collect the passenger processing charge from the airline; Knock and Kerry collect it directly from the passenger. This allows carriers like Ryanair to pretend that a flight from Knock is €10 cheaper than it actually is.

The passenger processing charge for Dublin is €10.76, hardly a great difference url]http://www.aviationreg.ie/Regulation_of_Airport_Charges__Dublin_Airport/Default.117.html[/url . But Ryanair vociferously attack Dublin for its high charges, and are very quiet about Knock.

Who's strategy is this?

subway

i've seen some strawmanning in my time, but this thread takes the biscuit.
as all hope of a normal debate has been thrown out the window by some of the recent replies i have no further intention of posting in this thread.

truly embarassed at the level of debate put forward

kippy

subway wrote: »

i've seen some strawmanning in my time, but this thread takes the biscuit.
as all hope of a normal debate has been thrown out the window by some of the recent replies i have no further intention of posting in this thread.

truly embarassed at the level of debate put forward

What exactly is your problem?

subway

ughh, my subscription was still there...

i outlined it earlier. to spell it out
not being told at point of sale about a hidden charge
this is illegal, immoral, unethical, whatever. (do you understand contract law)

since you are so close minded to see discsussion of this as a personal affront to the people of Mayo, i am not overly interested in wasting further time on this with you as, if you cant get over that mental hurdle, its a lost cause. i dont care about the cost, the reasons for it, or who it goes to. i've never been to knock and am interested in a general discussion about it why it is allowed to happen and what can to be done to resolve it.

Thoie

The same thing happens at Kerry airport, and like the OP, we weren't told about it before flying a few years ago. Our flights included "airport charges" so we assumed that covered, well, airport charges.

We had given our last cash to the taxi driver to bring us there on a return flight to Dublin, and they then demanded cash from each of us at the checkin desk, and refused to check us in until we paid. The only cash machine was out of order, and we obviously didn't have the time/cash to get a taxi into Killarney to get cash and come back again.

Thankfully for us, someone we knew turned up to catch the same flight, and had cash on him, so he subbed us all, but it was, and obviously still is, a disgrace.

Demanding additional airport charges at check-in is a disgrace (particularly as at that time they only accepted cash). As they don't even offer a receipt, it gives the impression that it's some kind of backhander to airport officials. I know now that's not the case, but when you're not aware of it in advance, it certainly seems like some kind of bribery is going on and that the staff are just pocketing cash.

Out of curiousity, I've just taken a DUB-KIR booking through to the part where you enter your credit card, and nowhere does it mention the exit fee.

subway

subway wrote: »

i've seen some strawmanning in my time, but this thread takes the biscuit.
as all hope of a normal debate has been thrown out the window by some of the recent replies i have no further intention of posting in this thread.

truly embarassed at the level of debate put forward

Simply as this Subway, Without Ryanair Knock would close, Ryanair will not accept the passenger fee on ticket, Therefore 10 euro is charged at gate, there is no satisfactory way to advertise this unless Ryanair show it distinctly on there own ticket price which they will not. Therefore some people will get caught out by surprise, its not nice but there is very little the airport can do about this as they do advertise it on there own website.
People that have an infrastructural need for this airport will defend it. People who just want the cheapest flight from any where in the country will not. Would you rather that they added it to the ticket price, Ryanair pull out, airport closes, and the there is no airport in the west and we all make the 3 - 4 hr trip to DUB ?

I was told that Ryanair do have a warning on there website but i cannot see it myself!! I would rather it added to the ticket price, but Ryanair are calling the shots in these regional airports.

subway

i didnt say i want any of those things, do you know what a strawman argument is? can you post without making one.

here's a hypothetical. 150 ryanair passengers, who know their rights show up for a flight at knock. all refuse to pay the 10eu charge and are refused access to the plane. all take a SCC case against ryanair and are awarded all costs back. ryanair sue knock for costs.
how many times do you think knock could withstand this?

subway

subway wrote: »

i didnt say i want any of those things, do you know what a strawman argument is? can you post without making one.

here's a hypothetical. 150 ryanair passengers, who know their rights show up for a flight at knock. all refuse to pay the 10eu charge and are refused access to the plane. all take a SCC case against ryanair and are awarded all costs back. ryanair sue knock for costs.
how many times do you think knock could withstand this?

Im sure it could happen but probably will not, but it would close the airport in time, if it did at least it might force Ryanair to display a clear warning on the booking page. Im not familiar with the legality of it but it is now appearing in a number of UK airports.

The airports on the western seaboard are in competition with each other for Ryanairs services. While SNN gets subsidised Knock and Kerry do not this it how they attempt to lure Ryanair.
UNtill the Government sets the same rules for all three airports, bans these hidden charges and subsidises them all to the same amount per passenger or none at all then this will likely continue. Untill then it will be a race to the bottom. SNN now non DAA will be attempting to get these routes back from Knock and will likely offer Ryanair even better terms then Knock especially with the advantage of a 100 million bailout and with Shannon free zone supplying revenue to cover costs .

runawaybishop

The first time you see mention of the charge is when you walk around a corner to go to the departure lounge and you'd usually be in the middle of a queue at this stage. You are also greeted with a few signs that warn you not get thick with the staff manning the booth.

Knock might be a great asset blah blah blah, but the way they ram that tenner charge on to people has always pissed me off. It comes across as very sneaky and underhanded. I've used a Knock quite a few times and at least the last 3 times I've overheard tourist groups behind me express their displeasure at the way the charge is communicated.

runawaybishop

runawaybishop wrote: »

The first time you see mention of the charge is when you walk around a corner to go to the departure lounge and you'd usually be in the middle of a queue at this stage. You are also greeted with a few signs that warn you not get thick with the staff manning the booth.

Knock might be a great asset blah blah blah, but the way they ram that tenner charge on to people has always pissed me off. It comes across as very sneaky and underhanded. I've used a Knock quite a few times and at least the last 3 times I've overheard tourist groups behind me express their displeasure at the way the charge is communicated.

Agreed, but how do the airport change that unless the airlines are forced to display it on the booking page which it appears they aren't ? Surely its the Department of Transports responsibility to ensure that airlines landing in Ireland do this ?

subway

supposing it is up to the DoT (i dont know) what attempts have Knock et al made to have them enforce this with Ryanair, whether as an additional charge or the warning on the site?
from a neutral perpsective it looks like a disagreement between Knock and Ryanair and knock have found the easy solution of just letting the passengers and the staff deal with it.

trying to put aside the other issues of knock having to make money (that shoudlnt be up for debate, they are a private entitiy and entitled to try make a profit) the focus here should be on whether they are engaging in sharp practice in how they manage this.
it seems, from this thread, that this is a long standing thing (and locals are well aware of it & accept it) but to me, looking in, it perhaps should have been allowed as a temporary solution until the management of the airport could sort out the dispute with ryanair by whatever means neccesary.

and, if they cant turn a profit by utilising fair practices, then their business should be called unto question.

it smacks somewhat of people defending the quinn "empire" not so long ago.

kippy

subway wrote: »

ughh, my subscription was still there...

i outlined it earlier. to spell it out
not being told at point of sale about a hidden charge
this is illegal, immoral, unethical, whatever. (do you understand contract law)

since you are so close minded to see discsussion of this as a personal affront to the people of Mayo, i am not overly interested in wasting further time on this with you as, if you cant get over that mental hurdle, its a lost cause. i dont care about the cost, the reasons for it, or who it goes to. i've never been to knock and am interested in a general discussion about it why it is allowed to happen and what can to be done to resolve it.

Isn't that the whole point of "hidden charges"? (sarcasm)
On a serious note, I'd agree with you, there is no indication (as far as I am aware) on any of the documentation from any of the airlines that there is a ten euro departure charge.

runawaybishop

Deleted User wrote: »

Agreed, but how do the airport change that unless the airlines are forced to display it on the booking page which it appears they aren't ? Surely its the Department of Transports responsibility to ensure that airlines do this ?

Show the sign prominently in the airport, not hidden around a corner in the middle of a queue, along with signs warning you to stay cool maybe? The way its currently displayed I expect someone in a bad suit to pop out and try and sell me a timeshare.

Even the Knock airport website can't seem to display info about the fee properly - they have a rotating image that only displays the fee for 5 seconds out of 10

edit: wording on Knocks website - "Our Development Fee forms part of our overall service charges, and we choose to charge this fee in an open and transparent manner. "

edit2: btw, I haven't flown from knock in a few months, so does anyone know if they have changed the signage?

subway

subway wrote: »

supposing it is up to the DoT (i dont know) what attempts have Knock et al made to have them enforce this with Ryanair, whether as an additional charge or the warning on the site?
from a neutral perpsective it looks like a disagreement between Knock and Ryanair and knock have found the easy solution of just letting the passengers and the staff deal with it.

trying to put aside the other issues of knock having to make money (that shoudlnt be up for debate, they are a private entitiy and entitled to try make a profit) the focus here should be on whether they are engaging in sharp practice in how they manage this.
it seems, from this thread, that this is a long standing thing (and locals are well aware of it & accept it) but to me, looking in, it perhaps should have been allowed as a temporary solution until the management of the airport could sort out the dispute with ryanair by whatever means neccesary.

and, if they cant turn a profit by utilising fair practices, then their business should be called unto question.

it smacks somewhat of people defending the quinn "empire" not so long ago.

None of the airports on the western seaboard are profitable on there own Kerry use charges at the airport and SNN uses taxpayers money. SNN loses 8 million a year on just running the airport, which we all pay for without which it would also close. Knock including the development fee is the only airport that actually makes a profit due to its low costs.

Knock is not really private we all own it, as it is run as a trust for the people of W/N west and reinvests all money in the airport to aid expansion. So its not like the fee goes into somebodys back pocket. Most of the charge actually goes to the airport development, It was originally meant to cover the new terminal extension that was built and last 5 years, but considering the amount of further expansion planned it will likely stay for the forseeable future.

That is why the government should be involved, treat it like all the other airports cover their debt and required expansion and force the passenger processing charges to be added to the tickets of all airports in Ireland. Let all airports set there own passenger fee dependent on costs and efficiency and then let them compete fairly, They could then remove this development fee from Knock.

An independent study by Ernst & Young Economic Consultants states the airport supports a total of 984 jobs in the region with an overall economic contribution of €128 million annually, that was even before the recent increases in passengers from Germany, Italy, France and Spain, so its not like its not worth it for the government.

Daisy M

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

It's a bit like building a cinema and charging people a tenner to watch a film, after they've paid for a ticket to watch a film.

No, its a bit like bringing a mobile cinema to someones home and asking them to pay a euro extra on top of their ticket for the convenient service.

Fr Tod Umptious

Not sure if anyone here has flown out of Kerry lately but I did a few months ago ( to Dublin) and there was no extra fee collected at the airport.

I have flown out of Kerry a good few times in the last few years and never been charged such a fee

Did I miss something ?

irishbloke77

Firstly, knock (Connaught airport, IWAK, whatever name it has this week) does get money from the government and hence the taxpayer. It may not be on the same scale as cork, Shannon etc, but the airport is not on the same scale as these airports either, approx 20-25% or the passengers of cork/Shannon. According to the mayo news recently, it's just over 4 million euros over the next 3 years. It may be put towards infrastructure etc, but that's what terminal 2 is n Dublin. Look how much that cost and how a certain airline frequenting knock gave out about it. Not saying any other airport is better/worse but it is worth pointing out I thought.

As for the €10 charge, it's pathetic. It's all well and good to say its only 10 euros and it saves against driving hundreds of kms return to Dublin Shannon, etc. it's 10 euros each, so a family of 4 now have 40 euros extra. This idea of "if you don't like it then don't use knock" doesn't stand up either because it's not advertised as being due when you book a flight, you are caught with it by the time you find out about it. How would you like it is you booked your flight and turned up to find the airline wanted 10 euros extra each to fly or you would be refused travel. The airlines would be told that the tickets are bought and paid for, the contract done, and must be fulfilled. In no place does it say you must pay the extra ten euros to fly or you won't be allowed fly. This should be either added to the fare when booking the flight, or a box should appear warning of the knock charge BEFORE booking the flights. Then the flyer would have the informed option of using knock or traveling elsewhere.

mayotom

Deleted User wrote: »

Ryanair have Knock over a barrel at the moment, they will not allow it to be added to the ticket price. There is rumors though of two other eastern europe airlines starting routes from there. IMO i can see all not state airports (NOC,SNN, Kerry) using this model to pay for itself.

Any idea what routes are been discussed

SerialComplaint

mayotom wrote: »

Very simple, you subsidise cork through your taxes

No, you dont. DAA is funded through its passenger charges and income from retail operations. There is no taxpayer subsidy.

irishbloke77

irishbloke77 wrote: »

Firstly, knock (Connaught airport, IWAK, whatever name it has this week) does get money from the government and hence the taxpayer. It may not be on the same scale as cork, Shannon etc, but the airport is not on the same scale as these airports either, approx 20-25% or the passengers of cork/Shannon. According to the mayo news recently, it's just over 4 million euros over the next 3 years.

Wrong...Knock has more that 50% of the amount of passengers that SNN get and getting closer all the time. So Knock is getting 1.3million a year from the government to help with infrastructure development and zero for running costs, while Shannon is getting 8 million a year just for running costs. Yeah sounds real fair alright...:rolleyes: they must really losing the run of themselves with all that money.