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July is the busiest month in the Airports history of as 91,000 passengers travel through Ireland West Airport Knock

The month of July has proven to be a record breaking month at Ireland West Airport Knock as the airport recorded its busiest month for passenger traffic in the airports 28 year history.

Over 91,000 passengers used Ireland West Airport Knock in July, surpassing the previous busiest ever month, which was August 2012, when 89,500 passengers passed through the airport.

July traffic to/from the UK was up 17% on July 2013, while passenger traffic to/from mainland and continental Europe increased by 18%, highlighting the airports importance as a gateway for the West of Ireland for important tourist generating markets, particularly in mainland Europe. All four of the airports airline partners, Flybe, Aer LIngus, Ryanair & Germanwings showed an increase in passenger numbers and higher load factors compared to July 2013.

The latest figures also show that Ireland West Airport is on track to record the busiest year in the airports history with passenger numbers expected to reach 700,000 for the first time. The Airport now serves 25 International destinations and is served by four of Europes biggest airlines.

The major increase in passenger numbers is also attributed to a host of new services which have been launched from the airport in 2014 with strong numbers travelling on new services to and from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Kaunas in Lithuania and Glasgow with Ryanair whilst a new service from Cologne-Bonn in Germany with Germanwings has proved very popular with an expected 20% increase in the number of German visitors to the West this year. This combined with an additional 70,000 new seats added on key London services to and from London Stansted and London Luton this year, will contribute to record levels of growth in 2014 at the airport

Recent passenger research carried out at the airport shows increased traffic from overseas markets visiting the West to experience the Wild Atlantic Way. The airport is the central gateway to 8 of the 15 official Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Points and offers the perfect gateway for overseas visitors to discover this beautiful scenic route

Commenting on the record numbers, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director Ireland West Airport, said “We are delighted to have recorded our busiest month in the airports history, which is an endorsement for the range of destinations, ease of access and convenience of the airport for the people of the region and for those overseas visitors who want to fly directly into the heart of the West of Ireland. These passenger figures highlight the importance of the airport for the regions in which we serve and how with support from regional stakeholders the airport can continue to grow and develop essential international connectivity that will lead to more jobs and prosperity for the people of the West and North West of Ireland’
A recent independent study by Ernst & Young Economic Consultants stated that the airport supports a total of 900 jobs in the region with an overall economic contribution of €133m annually.