What is your view on Knock Airport charging everyone a tenner to leave it?

relax carry on

Graham wrote: »

650,000 passengers at €10 = €6,500,000
Let's round that down to €5 million to take into account children under 11.

Capital spending last year was €2.1 million
Where was the other €3 million worth of 'airport development'?

Isn't that 650000 figure the inbound and outbound passengers together? The 10 euro fee is only paid by the outbound passengers isn't it?

Andy From Sligo

anna080 wrote: »

It's to keep it open essentially. If they didn't get it they'd have to close. It's a nice little airport and appreciated greatly here in the wesht.

... if it puts people off using the airport because of it - number of users will fall and theyd have to close ...

Kevin McCloud

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

... if it puts people off using the airport because of it - number of users will fall and theyd have to close ...

There is no other airport around for miles so they are stuck with it.

Andy From Sligo

Lapin wrote: »

All good points.

But from where I live (Galway), Knock isn't the easiest place to get to by public transport.

Regular access to Dublin and Shannon is a lot handier.

mad that it isnt the easiest to get to by public transport from galway .... because its on the N17 Galway road!!

rainbowtrout

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

mad that it isnt the easiest to get to by public transport from galway .... because its on the N17 Galway road!!

I dunno, I just looked up the Bus Eireann website. They have 6 buses going from Galway to Sligo tomorrow that stop at Knock Airport. Hardly difficult to get to.

Knock is a great airport, you always meet someone you know!

I was on one of the first ever flights into it but they didn't have the runway lights installed yet and the fog came down and was diverted to Shannon

Chucken

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Knock is a great airport, you always meet someone you know!

I was on one of the first ever flights into it but they didn't have the runway lights installed yet and the fog came down and was diverted to Shannon

I've never been to Knock Strike me down now!
But, If I had to pay the €10 from Shannon,(I live nearer to Shannon) I would, no bother. Its about what we need isn't it? No stress.

Andy From Sligo

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Knock is a great airport, you always meet someone you know!

I was on one of the first ever flights into it but they didn't have the runway lights installed yet and the fog came down and was diverted to Shannon

my first experience was a Luton to Knock flight in December 1990 ... it really was just an upgrade of a cowshed then lol - maybe all these tenners they got really did turn it into what it is today ...

Cee-Jay-Cee

I don't mind paying it as it jeans not having to go to that feckin ****hole Dublin airport (which isn't too bad on the way out but a nightmare on arrival) but I really think it should be renamed "Charlestown Airport" as it's no where near Knock and only a few miles from Charlestown.

Mars Bar

I have no problem whatsoever with the ten euro fee. It's pays its way in convenience. You can get savage prices from there to Liverpool and its not even an hour up the road.

It's a nightmare when the wind gets bad though!

the dark phantom

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I don't mind paying it as it jeans not having to go to that feckin ****hole Dublin airport (which isn't too bad on the way out but a nightmare on arrival) but I really think it should be renamed "Charlestown Airport" as it's no where near Knock and only a few miles from Charlestown.

Its called "Ireland West".

Mars Bar

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I don't mind paying it as it jeans not having to go to that feckin ****hole Dublin airport (which isn't too bad on the way out but a nightmare on arrival) but I really think it should be renamed "Charlestown Airport" as it's no where near Knock and only a few miles from Charlestown.

It's technically not called knock airport anymore though. It's ireland West airport. I agree with ya though. It's nowhere near knock!

Chucken

Mars Bar wrote: »

It's technically not called knock airport anymore though. It's ireland West airport. I agree with ya though. It's nowhere near knock!

But...but..the song? Back in the day? It was about an Airport in Knock

Andy From Sligo

imagine if they charged you a tenner on arrival as well :eek:

AngryHippie

anna080 wrote: »

Ireland west airport is a small airport and doesn't receive large government funding like other airports. It has to charge this fee for developmental upkeep.

FYI
Development = Expansion, future construction, Future improvements.
Upkeep = Maintenance of what is already there.

Developmental Upkeep = Nonsense reason for a nonsense charge being charged by an airport that doesn't understand the commercial realities of the world in which it exists. If it's an airport charge it should be included in the ticket cost. end of.

I don't know how they are still getting away with it:

Regulation 1008/2008/EC on air services in the Community requires that the published price for the service shall include the fare and all applicable taxes, charges, surcharges and fees which are unavoidable and foreseeable at the time of publication. In addition, details must be given of the different components of the price (fares, taxes, airport charges and other costs)

http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/the_eu_and_you/faq/air_travel/index_en.htm

Chucken

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

imagine if they charged you a tenner on arrival as well :eek:

Small price to pay

Andy From Sligo

I suppose these days they grit/salt the runway but when we came over in December 1990 there was a lot of snow on the way back and the one and only access road to the terminal had not been gritted and we were walking along and some generous sole gave us a lift in his landrover to get to the terminal building from the N17 road - you couldnt have drove a car up there, and the runway wasnt gritted either , was quite a hairy taking off sliding from side to side on the runway, i was thankful when we were actually up in the air! :eek:

Chucken

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

I suppose these days they grit/salt the runway but when we came over in December 1990 there was a lot of snow on the way back and the one and only access road to the terminal had not been gritted and we were walking along and some generous sole gave us a lift in his landrover to get to the terminal building from the N17 road - you couldnt have drove a car up there, and the runway wasnt gritted either , was quite a hairy taking off sliding from side to side on the runway, i was thankful when we were actually up in the air! :eek:

1990??

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

wtf, i can't believe this, first i heard of it. just checked Ryanair and they mention nothing while i was (fake) booking from Stansted to Knock. so you're walking out the gate and they force you to pay €10?! i'd tell them to fcuk off. it's the unexpected hit, not the money. just charge the airlines extra landing fees like normal.

i'm about 10 minutes from Shannon airport, i sometimes forget how 'privileged' i am lol

AngryHippie

georgiecasey wrote: »

wtf, i can't believe this, first i heard of it. just checked Ryanair and they mention nothing while i was (fake) booking from Stansted to Knock. so you're walking out the gate and they force you to pay €10?! i'd tell them to fcuk off. it's the unexpected hit, not the money. just charge the airlines extra landing fees like normal.

i'm about 10 minutes from Shannon airport, i sometimes forget how 'privileged' i am lol

As mentioned above, its departures only I think.

Either way I'd be hitting them up with 1008/2008EC and telling them ever so nicely to jam it. If they insist, report them to the EU commissioner.

They have plenty of alternative ways to collect it (include it in the ticket like every other airport in Europe *the three in the UK excepted), they just want cash in hand.

Andy From Sligo

Chucken wrote: »

1990??

yup Christmas 1990 to see the outlaws ... - the good aul' days when they didnt charge you to leave the airport ...

Chucken

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

yup Christmas 1990 to see the outlaws ... - the good aul' days when they didnt charge you to leave the airport ...

You've been there since??

Wompa1

Galway Airport use to charge it too. They could have been more up front about it...not sure how Knock warn people. I think it's cool to have a place there for international flights....though those cross winds...surely it's one of the worst possible places they could have picked for an airport

mass_debater

georgiecasey wrote: »

wtf, i can't believe this, first i heard of it. just checked Ryanair and they mention nothing while i was (fake) booking from Stansted to Knock. so you're walking out the gate and they force you to pay €10?! i'd tell them to fcuk off. it's the unexpected hit, not the money. just charge the airlines extra landing fees like normal.

i'm about 10 minutes from Shannon airport, i sometimes forget how 'privileged' i am lol

See that's the thing, if they charge the airlines bigger landing fees they pull out and move their service to the other lower priced state funded airports, the ones that aren't self sufficient, that have their massive debts written off. They charge it for survival because it's not a level playing field

ash23

I'm about ten minutes from it so always fly from there. The first time I did I was a bit peeved as I was caught unaware but rationally it'd cost a lot more to get to Dublin or Shannon

Graham

mass_debater wrote: »

See that's the thing, if they charge the airlines bigger landing fees they pull out and move their service to the other lower priced state funded airports, the ones that aren't self sufficient, that have their massive debts written off. They charge it for survival because it's not a level playing field

This 'state funded' line is often trotted out in the context of Knock airport. There are remedies available through the Courts for anti-competitive practices should they truly exist.

mass_debater

Graham wrote: »

This 'state funded' line is often trotted out in the context of Knock airport. There are remedies available through the Courts for anti-competitive practices should they truly exist.

As easy as that.........
Don't you think if there was a legal route it would have been pursued

Graham

mass_debater wrote: »

As easy as that.........
Don't you think if there was a legal route it would have been pursued

Exactly. If the airport thought it had a case for illegal state aid or anti-competitive practices, it would have been pursued. Instead it's just trotted out as a smokescreen anytime anyone questions anything about the airport.

keithclancy

mass_debater wrote: »

See that's the thing, if they charge the airlines bigger landing fees they pull out and move their service to the other lower priced state funded airports, the ones that aren't self sufficient, that have their massive debts written off. They charge it for survival because it's not a level playing field

Cheaper state funded me hole, more like debt ridden.

Cork doesn't have its debt written off and it's dying.

the groutch

the money is just resting in their account.

Andy From Sligo

Chucken wrote:

You've been there since??

Oh yeah, loads of times lol

Carson10

Because Knock is so handy from Sligo I guess I dont mind paying it. How many airports can you pull up outside and be waiting on the flight in 10mins. No Queues and free wifi. I dont mind paying it to be honest. Far more expensive and more hastle to drive to Dublin airport.

Look at all the people working in the UK from Sligo who can pop home for the weekend with Knock Airport.

Matta Harri

I love Knock airport. You can get a match in the centre of excellence in Ballyhaunis, glow in the dark rosary beads in Knock village and a flight to Portugal all within a few miles of each other.

The parking is good, you get s lovely view of the bog when flying off and I'll be off the plane and home within 45 minutes. Seems to be catching on too, a lot of non West of Ireland accents using it.

Thr tenner is well worth it IMO for the pleasure of not having to deal with Dublin airport.

ScumLord

I also forgot to mention there's a smoking area after check in. It's great to have your last proper bit of breakfast (they do daycent food there too) a quick pint or two and a fag before making your way onto the plane.

Andy From Sligo

ScumLord wrote: »

I also forgot to mention there's a smoking area after check in. It's great to have your last proper bit of breakfast (they do daycent food there too) a quick pint or two and a fag before making your way onto the plane.

do they ? - wheres the smoking area?

Mars Bar

It's over on the left of the boarding gates isn't it?

Paramite Pie

The 10euro charge is very public knowledge is it not?? I'm surprised so many people were "caught out" by it....

It's been a few years since I've flown from Knock but is there not something on the website or an email from the airline when you book? I'm sure that there was.

mass_debater

Paramite Pie wrote: »

The 10euro charge is very public knowledge is it not?? I'm surprised so many people were "caught out" by it....

It's been a few years since I've flown from Knock but is there not something on the website or an email from the airline when you book? I'm sure that there was.

Only Ryanair, all other airlines and the airport website display it clear as day

Red Kev

Flew out of there a few months ago, no warning about €10. Refused to pay it, even though I really needed to get the flight. My logic was that they could have charged me €100 and I would have still had to pay it.

Got into a serious argument with a member of staff, was eventually let on at the last minute without paying.

They should charge it through the airlines and not leave a sour taste in some peoples mouths.

Apart from that excellent compact airport, can highly recommend it.

Mars Bar

Red Kev wrote: »

Flew out of there a few months ago, no warning about €10. Refused to pay it, even though I really needed to get the flight. My logic was that they could have charged me €100 and I would have still had to pay it.

Got into a serious argument with a member of staff, was eventually let on at the last minute without paying.

They should charge it through the airlines and not leave a sour taste in some peoples mouths.

Apart from that excellent compact airport, can highly recommend it.

It's there and it's excellent because those ten euros help keep it there. Pay the feckin' €10 like the rest of us do.

Red Kev

Mars Bar wrote: »

It's there and it's excellent because those ten euros help keep it there. Pay the feckin' €10 like the rest of us do.

Just let me know in advance and I'll pay it, better still add it to my bill when I buy the ticket and save the hassle.

Geuze

Red Kev wrote: »

Just let me know in advance and I'll pay it, better still add it to my bill when I buy the ticket and save the hassle.

The airlines refuse to add it to their fares, AFAIK.

Graham

Geuze wrote: »

The airlines refuse to add it to their fares, AFAIK.

Odd, airlines generally pay the airports directly and include the charges in the ticket price. Why do the airlines refuse to pay Knock?

flazio

Graham wrote: »

Odd, airlines generally pay the airports directly and include the charges in the ticket price. Why do the airlines refuse to pay Knock?

It may (and I emphasize MAY) be that the airlines don't pay the airport fast enough to keep the creditors happy and keep the head above water.

ScumLord

Red Kev wrote: »

Just let me know in advance and I'll pay it, better still add it to my bill when I buy the ticket and save the hassle.

I would say you were told you just didn't pay attention to the details. If you weren't told it's really the airlines fault for not passing on the information as they're advised to.

Just checked flight to Stanstead next Friday morning. If I flew from Dublin it would cost €76.99 and the total journey (driving) from my home to Stanstead airport would be 6 1/4 hrs.

Flight from Knock €52.99 (including tenner development fee) and total journey time 4 hrs.

The cost of petrol and tolls would make the Dublin option even more expensive so no brainer really. I am more than happy to pay the tenner if it means people in the west have access to cheap flights all over Europe.

Grayson

flazio wrote: »

It may (and I emphasize MAY) be that the airlines don't pay the airport fast enough to keep the creditors happy and keep the head above water.

I doubt that. Airlines work on such a tight margin that they probably have it factored in for years in advance.

It's a stupid fee. i realise people are saying the airport needs it etc, etc... but can you imagine turning up at a train station and being told you have to pay €10 to get to your train?

Grayson

Carson10 wrote: »

Look at all the people working in the UK from Sligo who can pop home for the weekend with Knock Airport.

all 10 of them

ScumLord

Grayson wrote: »

It's a stupid fee. i realise people are saying the airport needs it etc, etc... but can you imagine turning up at a train station and being told you have to pay €10 to get to your train?

The thing is it's a necessary fee and it's a fee you pay in every airport they just hide it into ticket costs. It's either pay ten euro when you fly, or have no local airport. I'm happy to pay the fee if it keeps knock running. Knock is genuinely one of the most pleasant airports I've ever been through.

Grayson

ScumLord wrote: »

The thing is it's a necessary fee and it's a fee you pay in every airport they just hide it into ticket costs. It's either pay ten euro when you fly, or have no local airport. I'm happy to pay the fee if it keeps knock running. Knock is genuinely one of the most pleasant airports I've ever been through.

I get that they need the money bit it should be tacked on somewhere else then. I can't imagine being told at a port, bus station or train station that I have to pay extra money to pass through the building.