Knock Airport on its Last Leg

Nostradamus

Heard it from a member of staff. Of course they are expecting a "rescue package from the Government" but I can't see it coming.

Be interesting to see how this pans out as Ireland is perhaps the most over-airported country on earth. We really only need Dublin, Shannon and Cork - every other one is pointless really. The Government stuck to their guns on the Hospital issue and the professional whingers lost, there is very little complaining on the cancellation of the WRC north so I can't see the catholic church keeping Knock open with taxpayers money the way they did in the past.

We are living in semi-rational times in a way, which is kinda shocking for this country.

Zoney

Well, closing Knock Airport could be sold a lot better if the much needed N17 (Tuam-Athenry/Oranmore) and N18 upgrades proceeded.

It's only with the completion those routes, and the Limerick Southern Ring Road and M7 Limerick-Nenagh that Shannon Airport will have a cachement area it should have had many years ago.

Cork Airport benefits from serving the larger city of Cork, but Shannon can potentially provide a much more important airport serving everything from north of Galway to South and East of Limerick (incl. even the southwestern midlands) and even North Cork (if there were a sane N20). People from Galway shouldn't end up going to Dublin and clogging up that airport, which better serves Dublin and Leinster the more people from the West, Midwest and South that can fly via Shannon and Cork.

Neworder79

I'd expect some redundancies given the current climate, but I'd be surprised if things are as bad as you suggest Nostradamus, the management seem to have been running a tight ship for the last few years. Did they comment on the reason?

Government infrastructure investment cutbacks and credit tightening will hit their long-term development plans, but Knock seems to be in the strongest position of all the regional airports given they say they will have carried 700,000 passengers by the end of the year and still have a good mix of scheduled airlines and charters. Gatwick route was a big loss last month but Ryanair have added extra Stansted services for the winter.

The airport made statements after Great Escapes and XL went bust saying they would account for 10% and 1% of their business respectively, but this years charter season was almost over anyway, though they may have lost airport fees if not paid.

Nostradamus

Neworder79 wrote: »

I'd expect some redundancies given the current climate, but I'd be surprised if things are as bad as you suggest Nostradamus, the management seem to have been running a tight ship for the last few years. Did they comment on the reason?

Not the management's fault who in recent times have made it a real airport. I was told there is a lot of rumours among the ground staff that this and that airline is pulling its routes. Basically it's out of Knock's control as the Government subside per flight has been eaten up by the cost of aviation fuel.

Run_to_da_hills

Knock airport management could always eat their words and use it as another US Military stop over.

http://ads.rte.ie/news/2007/0120/knock.html

Nostradamus

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Knock airport management could always eat their words and use it as another US Military stop over.

http://ads.rte.ie/news/2007/0120/knock.html

Ah yes the Mayo County Councillor on the radio who was in favour of rendition flights, murder and torture package holidays in Cuba for anyone the psychotic Bush administration happened to dislike and why.

..."because he had to do what was best for the people of Mayo"

Maybe they could open the Western Rail Corridor though Mayo to transport cluster bombs from Knock to Shannon. For 'regional balance' of course... A 121 class locomotive hauling it naturally.

Capt'n Midnight

still parking is a lot cheaper than Dublin and by the time you get the long term car park bus you might as well go to knock

lostexpectation

mcevaddy's refueling flights for usaf on the way to the middleeast will need somwhere to take off from...the contract has been reopened thanks to mccain