Knock Airport

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121332234#Comment_121332234

There are several in place in Dublin already but given the number of scanners it’s a gradual process.

Cosmo Kramer

Yes it's part of a nationwide rollout, they should be at all airports by next year, certainly the four main ones anyway, not sure if they're bringing them in in Donegal and Kerry or not.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121332234#Comment_121332234

Loads of them at Dublin airport!

Masala

Kerry and Donegal were the FIRST to introduce them. They been up and running for nearly 2 years now in Kerry as far as I know

Cookiemunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121340560#Comment_121340560

Shannon introduced them around the same time in 2021.

L1011

It's a lot easier to introduce them when you have one scanner (Donegal) than 50+, they're in significant demand as every airport wants them.

Amsterdam is exceptionally unlikely to happen as KLM are reducing flights due to an impending cut to the flight cap at AMS. If there was no cap, the number of ads they have on iradio shows they do target the northwest and it would have been a likely target

The Nutty M

I love Knock airport. If I can at all get flights to and from it I do. Long may it continue.

But I have one gripe about the Knock airport development plan. They want to add in more apron space. But their method is a little bit outdated to technologies available. The first part of the plan was as I remember to move the fuel depot. IMO there is no need.

Extend the apron further north out to the R376. And simply use a tug to push aircraft back. This doesn't require massive rework and keeps things simple. You gain two maybe three aircraft parking spaces from the purchase of a tug with the installation of an apron that was already going to happen anyways. With more spaces become more opportunities.

yew_tree

Are they due to extend the apron in the near future? It does not appear any work is taking place to do so. In fact more car parking for the car hire companies appears to be present in the direction of the approach road.

the departures area is also very cramped during busy times. To expand routes not only will the apron need to be expanded but the departures air side area too. Maybe another two gates?

eastmayo

I was told they are to move where stand 3 is at the moment to run parallel with stand 1 and 2 so it will be extended out where the car hire car park is at the moment.When thats going ahead iam not sure.

DumbBrunette

https://westernpeople.ie/2023/11/14/knock-airport-returns-to-profit-after-record-revenues-of-e17-93m/

Much higher revenue in 2022 compared to 2019, despite fewer passengers. I'm not sure why that is, higher charges perhaps?

Masala

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121368516#Comment_121368516

I reckon it’s as a result of higher fuel prices… hence higher fuel sales in €€€€. Doesn’t necessarily mean more litres sold…. It’s just a play on €. Fuel prices doubled as result of Ukraine war in Feb/ Mar of 2022.

yew_tree

https://www.echo.ie/us-aerospace-investor-takes-a-majority-stake-in-eirtrade/

I wonder what implications this will have for their operation at IWAK? They got planning approved for a new hanger a good while back but no sign of it being built yet…

yew_tree

interesting to hear Michael O Leary speak at a recent dail committee on the Dublin asirport passenger cap. He said Ryanair are looking to expand at Cork, Shannon and Knock with the possibility of basing two aircraft at knock.

eastmayo

That would be great but alot off money to be spent in Knock, Apron to small and Arrivals and departures would need extending if it's to grow further. Hopefully happen some day.

Geuze

When you step in the front door, there is loads of space.

But yes, after the x-ray machine, the shop feels cramped.

And the departure lounge could be bigger, yes.

highlydebased

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122306620#Comment_122306620

If two aircraft were based, flights would likely end up more spread out including at times where there are no flights currently so it may actually reduce the impact of crowding in the terminal

yew_tree

He did say in the next 1-2 years. Started off by saying they are looking to increase current aircraft based at Cork and Shannon with the possibility of basing two aircraft at knock taking Ryanair passengers to 1.4 million at Knock. Currently they are at around 700k.

It’s up on YouTube from 12 days ago.

Be interesting to see if this happens in the near to medium future. Was there not plans to extend the apron?

yew_tree

Any time I’ve been there it’s either rammed with people or nothing, like a ghost town. There does not appear to be any in between.

AnRothar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122306727#Comment_122306727

This is deliberately arranged by management to maximise the available staff and resources.

Regarding Michael O Leary talking at politicians.

Usual PR piece by Ryanair.

Unwashed masses and politicians will all this up.

He wants the Dublin cap lifted end of.

And at some point in the future they may increase capacity in Knock.

No actual commitment to a date.

Sup with the devil you need a long spoon.

should Ryanair actually base an aircraft there they will need to maximise its use. They are a business not a charity.

So they will try first departure just after 0600 with last arrival just before midnight.

Sounds great doesn't it🤔

yew_tree

Any decision will be a commercial one. If there’s money to be made they will do it. If not then so be it. One thing MOL said that I’d live to know if true…27,000 noise complaints at Dublin last year…26,000 are from one individual 🙈😂😂

shamrocka330

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122307424#Comment_122307424

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/dublin/2023/02/05/dublin-airport-noise-one-person-files-over-23000-complaints-in-2022/

Bizarrely it’s actually true! 😂

john boye

He's an old favourite of this site

Masala

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122306712#Comment_122306712

hi. Can u pop in a link to the You Tube ?? Many thanks

yew_tree

https://youtu.be/h-pLYNifGRU?si=sPSnyQ6wBU5rDeIw

here

Geuze

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122306844#Comment_122306844

Who decides on dep times? Airport or airline?

JCX BXC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122310775#Comment_122310775

Unless restricted by slots, always the airline.

Geuze

So when @AnRothar refers to mgt deliberately decicded to put departures close, that means airline mgt?

AnRothar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122311173#Comment_122311173

Nope, airport management, who want to maximise their own staff utilisation by having them there for the shortest time possible.

AnRothar

Schedule is agreed by airport management and the relevant airline.

Henry Ford III

Went through Knock last weekend to EMA.

2 things that I noticed:-

1/. The €10 departure fee is unwelcome. Every airport needs income for it's development but Knock is the only one I've seen to charge for it like that.

2/. EMA - Knock on Monday morning had 32 pax. I've never been on a quieter Ryanair service.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123230489#Comment_123230489

There's some weird opposition to rolling it in to the fare, may be down to specific airline/s not allowing it. Waterford had the same but you paid for it with your booking.

zell12

The public transport options are still atrocious. Easier for transit folk in the nearest metropolis(Galway) to go to DUB or SNN, or any tourist flying in with no rental car.

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123230647#Comment_123230647

Really?

The 64 calls there 6 times a day in each direction rom Galway and Sligo.

The first flight is at 08:55, with the 64 from Galway arriving at 07:30 and at 06:52 from Sligo.

The 440 also calls 4 times a day to/from Athlone and 6 times a day to/from Westport.

Given that flights tend to arrive and depart in groups and there are no early morning or late night flights, I’d have thought that the airport connections weren’t too bad?

zell12

That 64 Derry-Galway is frequently delayed. 64 is also a commuter bus serving Sligo & Galway hinterlands stopping in every hamlet on treacherous N17 and often full (not generally people for NOC). Never used the 440 though. It is our worst airport served by transit. It does not even have a shuttle bus to nearest town or railway station

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123231380#Comment_123231380

You might want to check your facts a little.

The 440 links to Castlebar, Claremorris, Swinford, Charlestown, and Ballyhaunis. In other words, all of the local towns.

JCX BXC

Bus to Knock is reasonable given the timings of the flights.

From a Galway City perspective I can only reach the first flights at either Dublin or Knock, no bus services reach Shannon for the first flights.

Given the lack of large urban areas in Mayo (and lack of flights at knock!) there would be next to no demand for a dedicated bus service, most people drive. The best you could get is an increase in the 64 timetable or a local bus with a stop at the airport.