Knock Airport News

sydneybound

Good news in the week, the Flybe Manchester flight is going to be daily from May 23, presumably for the summer months. That adds to the already daily flights to London Luton, Stansted, Gatwick, Birmingham and Liverpool, with several flights to East Midlands and Bristol the airport is really well connected to the UK.

If Knock gets remotely close to the figures of 2012 (685,000) for 2013 it would be an exceptional achievement. Although a bit of a dip to 650,000 would be a positive figure in these tough economic times.

For those of us commuting or regular users of the London Luton Saturday morning service it’s changed from 9:50 to 10:55 departure which is a little less convenient, prefer being back home before 12:00! Wish the earlier time could have stayed. I have a feeling I’ll never be able to use the Stansted Friday afternoon flight as it will leave too early at 4pm, I’m sure others will be in the same boat. To get from Liverpool Street the flight needs to depart at 7/7.30pm for people leaving work at 5pm, can’t see the airport management wanting to extend opening hours to accommodate that though.

Funny fact but it is actually quicker travelling from my base in London to Knock airport and then home compared to when I lived in Dublin getting Dublin bus into Busaras and the bus to the West. I have the route nailed down in regards to train times to Luton and lift waiting for me the other end, really could not be handier.

Just wanted to start a news thread or place where commuters or regular users could post their thoughts/experiences of the airport as I know the number of those working in the UK from the west and north west is ever growing.

Jamie2k9

Manchester was daily last summer so in fact there is a reduction between March-May this summer.

Neworder79

Isn't that what sydneybound said, back up to daily from May, hence he saw it as good news?
Any opportunity to sneer eh.

sydneybound

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Manchester was daily last summer so in fact there is a reduction between March-May this summer.

Eh… I never mentioned anything about the 2012 Manchester – Knock schedule but think the daily flights starting from May 2013 will be hugely beneficial to the area. Not sure if you have a grudge against the airport but it serves the UK extremely well and is very handy for a sun holiday to get away from this type of Baltic weather! Not having a go but in fairness there is no point in being negative for the sake of it, however feel free to contribute any news you hear.

I think regular commuters like me will continue to rise in the coming months and years from the West and North West.

In fairness when compared to other airports (and this is not airport bashing) it has the cheapest yearly parking at €550 a year. The cheapest around Dublin airport for the week I found was parking at the Metro hotel in Ballymun and getting the shuttle bus. That came in at an average of €23 a week for five nights and was very inconvenience waiting for the shuttle bus. If you do it every week it works out a lot more expensive than Knock and trust me the satisfaction of having your car parked outside the terminal rather than waiting for the shuttle bus on a cold day when you’re flying back after a week’s work is a great feeling. Not to mention the 20 minute car journey compared to just short of three hours from the airport!

sydneybound

Three times weekly service to the Algarve in Portugal with Ryanair started today three weeks earlier than normal. Good to see a near full flight heading to the sun. In two weeks time our full summer schedule will have commenced including all our sun destinations and new services to Milan and Malaga with Ryanair - Roll on the summer!

Taken from a link on Knocks twitter account. Great to see some of the summer flights have started three weeks early, especially as the plane was near full... should help PAX numbers for March.

alan4cult

It would be great if there was a late evening flight on a Friday, say leaving Stansted at 7.30pm and either going back to Stansted at 9.30pm or flying back on the Saturday.

Although is there an issue with jets overnighting at Knock? It probably isn't a proper base for them?

Zonda999

Yeah, Its not a base, so such a flight would have to be an aircraft based at LGW, LTN or STN

sydneybound

alan4cult wrote: »

It would be great if there was a late evening flight on a Friday, say leaving Stansted at 7.30pm and either going back to Stansted at 9.30pm?

There is the new double daily on London Stansted on a Friday. It leaves Stansted at 4 which is kind of awkward for workers unless they have a half day. However in the city many financial companies wrap up early on a Friday so it is visible they could catch it.

The 7:30 flight leaving Stansted would be ideal though meaning you could leave work at a normal time of 5 in central London and still make the flight with time to spare. The train from Liverpool Street takes 50 minutes. Think this is more to do with opening hours within the airport, in fairness there must be a logical reason for the lack of late flight as demand must be there, if just may not possible at the moment.

Took a quick look on Skyscanner on Fridays Knock has four London flight, well connected.

newcavanman

I have to admit that i didnt think Knock had a future when it was built . However, both itself and Kerry have shown the way that snalll eficent airportsd can compete with larger more unwieldy state owned aieports . I do believe that the DAA airports are no where as bad as they are often compared in the media to other european airports , however i feel they could do a lot better . Like almost all semi states they have many many inefficencies . They could take a leaf from Knocks book .

Masala

oops..wrong forum

alan4cult

sydneybound wrote: »

There is the new double daily on London Stansted on a Friday. It leaves Stansted at 4 which is kind of awkward for workers unless they have a half day. However in the city many financial companies wrap up early on a Friday so it is visible they could catch it.

The 7:30 flight leaving Stansted would be ideal though meaning you could leave work at a normal time of 5 in central London and still make the flight with time to spare. The train from Liverpool Street takes 50 minutes. Think this is more to do with opening hours within the airport, in fairness there must be a logical reason for the lack of late flight as demand must be there, if just may not possible at the moment.

Took a quick look on Skyscanner on Fridays Knock has four London flight, well connected.

Ya the 4pm is a great addition and a half day on a Friday is fine.

alan4cult

alan4cult wrote: »

It would be great if there was a late evening flight on a Friday, say leaving Stansted at 7.30pm and either going back to Stansted at 9.30pm or flying back on the Saturday.

Although is there an issue with jets overnighting at Knock? It probably isn't a proper base for them?

There is now two Stanstead flights on Fri and Mon, But as you say, they need to make them more at the extremes of the day i.e.7am and 7pm. There is a willing market there if they only made the flights available, not to many like to make the 3 hour trip to Dublin at 3am on a frosty morning just to get a flight to London for work.

If even the flights to Gatwick were a couple of hours earlier it would make a big difference for international connections.

sydneybound

20,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ireland West Airport Knock in Co Mayo over the bank holiday weekend.

Passenger numbers are up 10pc from the same period last year, with UK and sun-holiday destinations proving popular.

A bit of recent news...

Jamie2k9

sydneybound wrote: »

20,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ireland West Airport Knock in Co Mayo over the bank holiday weekend.

Passenger numbers are up 10pc from the same period last year, with UK and sun-holiday destinations proving popular.

A bit of recent news...

Yes because Easter was lather last year ask them what numbers will be in a week or two. Not having a go but people don't get to excited as there is no real growth.

Masala

[PHP]

Originally Posted by sydneybound

20,000 passengers are expected to pass through

Ireland West
Airport Knock in Co Mayo over the bank holiday
weekend.


Passenger
numbers are up 10pc from the same period last
year, with UK and

sun-holiday destinations proving popular.

A bit of recent
news

aaaahhh... ya can't beat Good News stories!!!! Sure - who wants to hear depressing news these days anyway...

I just luv to see the odd Company plug on boards....makes my day!!

eastmayo

Michael o leary flying into knock in the morning to announce more routes for next year..good news for knock.

eastmayo

eastmayo wrote: »

Michael o leary flying into knock in the morning to announce more routes for next year..good news for knock.

Good news indeed, should secure some more jobs. No eastern europe flights currently available, so we might get some of those. They may also go for a German route or close by to try and knock out Lufthansa on the Dusseldorf route.

They already have 13 routes from Knock, will be interesting to see what they add, announcement at 10am i think.

eastmayo

Yes its at 10.think its four new routes..we will see tomorrow.

Avns1s

eastmayo wrote: »

Michael o leary flying into knock in the morning to announce more routes for next year..good news for knock.

Any expansion of services whether on existing or new routes is to be welcomed. Well done to all at IWAK.

I think it's actually Michael Cawley, Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Operating Officer of Ryanair rather than O'Leary but that's beside the point.

eastmayo

eastmayo wrote: »

Yes its at 10.think its four new routes..we will see tomorrow.

Four! wasn't expecting that many. The government report is due out in 3 weeks on the future of Knock. It will be even more important than any routes announced tomorrow. If they are not treated to similar benefits that Shannon recently have than any new routes will be a short term thing, and all the hard work over that past 30 years will be wasted.

Will be interesting to see if Leo turns up, its not his policy for Knock to keep growing.
http://www.irelandwestairport.com/ut...ls.aspx?id=308

A series of Government statements has indicated that its aviation strategy was focussing on and supporting just one airport. In one such statement it was highlighted that a change in Government policy would be required to stop Knock catching up with Shannon. On 31st March 2012, quoted in the national media, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD said: “If nothing was done for Shannon the airport stood in danger of being passed out by Knock airport in passenger numbers, despite a current gap of over 900,000 passengers… I think if the trends continue as they are it will happen because Shannon’s numbers are already down 20 per cent this year and Knock is still growing. It is only a matter of time without a change in policy.”

Jamie2k9

Its 3 routes anyway, not sure about a fourth one. Have only saw 3 of them anyway.

Jamie2k9

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Its 3 routes anyway, not sure about a fourth one. Have only saw 3 of them anyway.

Can you tell us where to ?

Just Like Heaven

Looking forward to hearing this.

eastmayo

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Its 3 routes anyway, not sure about a fourth one. Have only saw 3 of them anyway.

Ya could be right.heard it was 4.i see work has started tonite on the new turn circle on runway 27.

irishbloke77

Deleted User wrote: »

Four! wasn't expecting that many. The government report is due out in 3 weeks on the future of Knock. It will be even more important than any routes announced tomorrow. If they are not treated to similar benefits that Shannon recently have than any new routes will be a short term thing, and all the hard work over that past 30 years will be wasted.

Will be interesting to see if Leo turns up, its not his policy for Knock to keep growing.
http://www.irelandwestairport.com/ut...ls.aspx?id=308

Ah, for f@&ks sake, can you please try and move on from Shannon. Should Kerry, Waterford etc.. Get as much as Knock does/will/should etc....

P.S. It's the winter schedule now, Ryanair has 5 routes out of Knock.

For what it's worth, any route is great news and the best of luck and well done to knock for getting the new routes tomorrow. Knock does seem to have a loyal fan base of customers who support it and we'll done to them for building that up.

Cosmo Kramer

Prestwick, Eindhoven, Kaunas and increased London frequencies announced this morning.

Cosmo Kramer

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Prestwick, Eindhoven, Kaunas and increased London frequencies announced this morning.

I can see the Eindhoven one doing well, close to Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Dusseldorf. Getting lots of Benelux tourists on the Greenway for a number of years now, also lots of Fishermen coming from there to the lakes and Moy.

Not so sure about Prestwick or Kaunas!! Lots more Polish than Lithuanians around here.

What London flights are increased ?

irishbloke77

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Prestwick, Eindhoven, Kaunas and increased London frequencies announced this morning.

Will that mean the end of FlyBe going to Glasgow?

irishbloke77

irishbloke77 wrote: »

Will that mean the end of FlyBe going to Glasgow?

Flybe go to Edinburgh and are doing very well on that route i believe. Ryanair will now compete with the Flybe flight out of SNN for the Glasgow route.

irishbloke77

Deleted User wrote: »

Flybe go to Edinburgh and are doing very well on that route i believe.

Ah right, I stand corrected.

Eindhoven could do very well, nice position for a lot of people around that area.

Cosmo Kramer

Deleted User wrote: »

Flybe go to Edinburgh and are doing very well on that route i believe.

Could be the end of them going to Glasgow from Shannon I think. It will also put pressure on the Knock - Edinburgh route which did well in terms of loads this summer.

Very surprised they chose Kaunas over any of their Polish bases. Eindhoven could be surprisingly successful alright, it certainly ticks the inbound tourism box.

Cosmo Kramer

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Could be the end of them going to Glasgow from Shannon I think. It will also put pressure on the Knock - Edinburgh route which did well in terms of loads this summer.

Very surprised they chose Kaunas over any of their Polish bases. Eindhoven could be surprisingly successful alright, it certainly ticks the inbound tourism box.

Eindhoven at least should bring money into the area instead of taking it out. Glasglow might not be too bad due to all the commuting Donegal and Sligo people using it instead of Derry...but Kaunas??

I cannot see all these additional routes from Cork up to Knock lasting, there just isn't the population there to support it. There is more routes to be announced for Kerry and Cork over the next few weeks.

Maybe if Ryanair started using smaller planes, then all these routes might last.

FYI:http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/64834/airport-growth-study-progressing-well-says-irelandwest-airport-knock

Jamie2k9

Eindhoven at least should bring money into the area instead of taking it out. Glasglow might not be too bad due to all the commuting Donegal and Sligo people using it instead of Derry...but Kaunas??

Donegal has a 3-5 weekly link to Glasgow already.

Jamie2k9

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Donegal has a 3-5 weekly link to Glasgow already.

Ryanair obviously think they can capture some of that market, Most of the Sligo customers would probably switch anyway. They will probably undercut Flybe by a decent margin.

lufties

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Could be the end of them going to Glasgow from Shannon I think. It will also put pressure on the Knock - Edinburgh route which did well in terms of loads this summer.

Very surprised they chose Kaunas over any of their Polish bases. Eindhoven could be surprisingly successful alright, it certainly ticks the inbound tourism box.

I'm absolutely delighted to hear these new routes being announced, great for tourism and links the WOI with mainland europe very well. Being from Tipp originally, I wish WAT would open up a bit, can't see it happening anytime soon though

yew_tree

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/german-lowcost-airline-to-spread-its-wings-westwardsto-knock-29774762.html

More good news for Knock today - keep it coming.

yew_tree

yew_tree wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/german-lowcost-airline-to-spread-its-wings-westwardsto-knock-29774762.html

More good news for Knock today - keep it coming.

It should make next year a record breaker for the airport. Two German routes and a nearby Eindhoven.

Teebor15

It should make next year a record breaker for the airport. Two German routes and a nearby Eindhoven.

Germanwings to Cologne was announced a couple of weeks ago, its essentially just replacing the Lufthansa service to Dusseldorf which is discontinued. Germanwings is Lufthansa's low cost subsidiary

What's the second German route?

lufties

Teebor15 wrote: »

Germanwings to Cologne was announced a couple of weeks ago, its essentially just replacing the Lufthansa service to Dusseldorf which is discontinued. Germanwings is Lufthansa's low cost subsidiary

What's the second German route?

Jeez the Knock-DUS route didn't last long..

bobcar61

From the article it says there will be an increase in flights to Luton from 16 per week to 18.7 a week. How is this even possible?

Jamie2k9

lufties wrote: »

Jeez the Knock-DUS route didn't last long..

Nothings to do with the route itself, its changes happening at LH.

GCU Flexible Demeanour

http://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/18130-taoiseach-says-decision-to-extend-exchequer-support-for-regional-airports-for-a-further-10-years-offers-significant-opportunities-for-knock-airport

Taoiseach Enda Kenny says the Government’s decision to extend exchequer support for regional airports for a further ten years provides significant opportunities for Ireland West Airport Knock.

Exchequer support for regional airports was due to cease by the end of 2014, but will now be extended by ten years following a decision taken by Cabinet yesterday.<...>

I have to say, I can't really see the point of this (apart from the context of giving something to Knock because they were giving out stink about Shannon) . In the past, Knock has been reasonably successful in attracting commercial traffic. Extending the public subsidies look like a retrograde step.

Also, for better or worse, the State has decided to (effectively) pump a hugh investment into Shannon Airport. Surely the action here undermines that investment; is there any clarity around who the State sees as falling into the Knock catchment, and who falls into the Shannon catchment? (And Cork catchment, for that matter).

But, tbh, that's probably all a bit theoretical. I think mostly I'm bothered by the sight of taxpayers funds being committed to something that probably won't do a lot of good for anyone, at the expense of necessary services.

notharrypotter

Extending the public subsidies look like a retrograde step

Airports are "SEXY" and make good publicity for all concerned.

They are however very expensive to operate.
This fact like many in life is most often missed by supporters of a item/project.

All airports in Ireland bar Dublin (by virtue of its population catchment) will need support to carry out structural works.

This is exactly like the situation regarding our roads.
Say for example a road in North West Donegal needs resurfacing.
The local motorists contribution via motor taxes will not pay for it.
So supplementary funding must come from elsewhere.

From what I can see Cork and Shannon cover their operating costs but NOT all their structural costs(who paid for the new Tower in Cork for example).

Kerry/Waterford/Knock/Sligo and Donegal do not cover their operating costs and require support.

Since they cannot cover their operating costs they have no hope of financing structural repairs or expansion without state support.

mostly I'm bothered by the sight of taxpayers funds being committed to something that probably won't do a lot of good for anyone

If a coherent argument that guarantees that the "investment" will give the state a return then so be it.

The marginal calls must be weighed in the context of our society as a whole and the spread the love concept.

The suggestions of a more exotic nature should be given a more thorough review.

Cosmo Kramer

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

I have to say, I can't really see the point of this (apart from the context of giving something to Knock because they were giving out stink about Shannon) . In the past, Knock has been reasonably successful in attracting commercial traffic. Extending the public subsidies look like a retrograde step.

Also, for better or worse, the State has decided to (effectively) pump a hugh investment into Shannon Airport. Surely the action here undermines that investment; is there any clarity around who the State sees as falling into the Knock catchment, and who falls into the Shannon catchment? (And Cork catchment, for that matter).

But, tbh, that's probably all a bit theoretical. I think mostly I'm bothered by the sight of taxpayers funds being committed to something that probably won't do a lot of good for anyone, at the expense of necessary services.

The report is available to view at the link below if you want to take a flick through it. It does address issues such as the catchment area and takes the approach that the money can be used to allow the airport to become self sustained in the long term. Obviously the aviation market in 10 years time is difficult to judge so whether that will happen or not can always be debated.

The financial figures involved here are small compared to the Shannon situation and Knock is a far leaner operation with minimal opportunity to cut costs without dramatically affecting services - a visit to the two airports makes that clear from the second you walk in the door of each one. As an example, it recently took four staff members to check in less than 30 people for a flight I took from Shannon to Glasgow and three of those staff members were joined by a fifth at the boarding gate. It was an incredible display of wastage, that kind of thing just couldn't happen at Knock.

I think it is fair to conclude that the modest scale of investment proposed will generate far more in return for the wider BMW economy that what is proposed to be spent here. In that respect it needs to be viewed differently than investment in other services that, while obviously very important, will not deliver any financial return on investment.

http://www.irelandwestairport.com/utility/news_details.aspx?id=346

Not harry potter - my understanding is that Shannon can now cover direct operating costs as they have been relieved of their debt burden. Knock is also operationally profitable before the repayment on historic debt is factored in but, unlike Shannon, Knock's debt remains and they therefore need subsidy to keep going. I am unsure of the exact position at the other regional airports but I imagine the continuation of the PSO scheme is vital to Donegal and Kerry Airports.

L1011

The number of check-in and gate staff provided is an airline, not airport decision (once the minimums are met), and are paid by the airline...

notharrypotter

It does address issues such as the catchment area

http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/aviation/english/ireland-west-airport-knock-study-group-report-december-2013/ireland-west-airport-knock-study-group-report-december-2013.pdf
Very strange map on page 2 of main body section 1.2 for the purists.

The words gerrymandering spring to mind.

notharrypotter

The number of check-in and gate staff provided is an airline, not airport decision (once the minimums are met), and are paid by the airline...

I am open to correction that once an airport passenger numbers are above a certain size then there must be competition between the ground handling providers?

Knock has one, itself, but once the trigger figure is reached this must change.

Regarding the OPEX I think that Knock has been getting it all along.
Its defiantly getting CAPEX.

I would believe that the SAR function at Waterford and Sligo help their bottom line indirectly.
Equally the PSO helps Kerry but possibly hinders it as well as they must remain open earlier and later to facilitate the service.

Cosmo Kramer

MYOB wrote: »

The number of check-in and gate staff provided is an airline, not airport decision (once the minimums are met), and are paid by the airline...

There is no chance that flybe were covering the cost of four check in staff and four gate handlers for a dash 8, especially as the route is on the verge of being pulled due to unprofitability. I fly with them fairly regularly on far busier routes and have never seen that level of overstaffing anywhere else. It is possible that the airport had deployed the extra staff to these areas as there were no other flights departing for a few hours either side of mine and they would have been otherwise unoccupied (although they were unoccupied anyway).

Cosmo Kramer

notharrypotter wrote: »

http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/aviation/english/ireland-west-airport-knock-study-group-report-december-2013/ireland-west-airport-knock-study-group-report-december-2013.pdf
Very strange map on page 2 of main body section 1.2 for the purists.

The words gerrymandering spring to mind.

How so? Were you expecting two perfect round circles? Unfortunately west of Ireland infrastructure doesn't allow all places within a certain geographic distance to be reached in the same period of time. The map reflects driving distances therefore the lines are stretched along the N17 corridor as that is the direct road route on which the airport sits.

notharrypotter

Using the same logic I would put Claremorris and everything south of it in Shannon's catchment.

The map has been used to put the maximum number of large urban areas within its reach.

The same logic if it had been used to support Galway airport would have put most of Dublin city in its catchment!! :rolleyes:

Cosmo Kramer

notharrypotter wrote: »

Using the same logic I would put Claremorris and everything south of it in Shannon's catchment.

Why stop at Claremorris when you can go all the way to Letterkenny. For comparitive purposes the link below (click on the Catchment tab on the web page) shows Shannon Airport's view of their catchment area - 21 counties including Donegal, Fermanagh, Cavan, Kildare and Carlow!!

http://www.therouteshop.com/profiles/shannon-airport/