• 28 Nov, 2011
• Business, Nature

Ireland West Airport Knock has confirmed today, that it is to receive €4.1m in funding from the Government over the next three years in respect of Safety and Security equipment, (including CCTV),and upgrades to Runway End Safety Areas and Turnpads at the airport.

The grand aid, at a rate of 90%, has been approved following an application by the airport under the Regional Airports Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme 2011-2014 under Measure 1 Category (Safety and Security).

Joe Gilmore, Managing Director Ireland West Airport Knock commented ‘We welcome this decision by Government to support the essential Runway End Safety Area works to be carried out at the airport which is of critical importance to ensure the safe and continued operation of flights and to ensure the airport complies with all relevant safety regulations. The works on the Runway End Safety Area is expected to create 35 jobs during the planning and implementation phases.

Mr Gilmore also wished to acknowledge the continued support and co-operation of  Minister Varadkar and Minister Ring and local TD’s John O’Mahony and Michelle Mulherin during this process. He added that ‘the airport will continue to engage with Government in regard to Capex support for the passenger apron extension and main runway overlay projects which are also critical to ensuring that the airport can achieve it’s full potential for the region from a passenger growth perspective and as an economic driver for job creation in the tourism and enterprise sectors’
Ireland West Airport Knock now serves over 25 international destinations with traffic expected to grow by 10% in 2011 to over 650,000 passengers and a further 10% growth in passenger traffic in 2012 being forecasted.

A recent independent study by Ernst & Young Economic Consultants states that the airport supports a total of 984 jobs in the region with an overall economic contribution of €128m annually.