Ireland West Airport Knock is delighted to confirm that work has commenced on the €5.5 million terminal extension following the decision by An Bord Pleanála last February to grant planning permission for the project. The extension, the contract of which has been awarded to John Sisk & Sons, is part of Ireland West Airport Knock’s Vision 2020; a €46 million capital investment programme which underpins the Airport’s goal of developing new short, medium and long haul international air routes and growing annual passenger numbers to over two million by 2020. Ireland West Airport Knock is acting to deliver new capacity to meet the needs of the traveling public as well as the airlines and tour operators using the Airport. In 2007, the Airport was given a financial injection of €27.1 million in funding under the new Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme for Regional Airports, which marked the single largest investment ever in the Airport’s history.

Ireland West Airport Knock’s terminal expansion is needed to provide the expanded space and services required due to the increased range of scheduled and charter routes and the resultant rapid growth in passenger numbers that the Airport has experienced in the last five years. Growth figures for the first five months of 2008 showed an increase of 26%., reflecting the increasing demand from passengers to fly direct to and from the West and North West regions. The 1654 square metre extension and the renovation to 960 square metres of the existing terminal building will provide more circulation space for passengers with a new security screening area, extended check in facilities, increased departures lounge space as well as new retail, catering and other facilities. 

Ireland West Airport Knock Chief Executive Robert Grealis welcomed the commencement of the work on the Terminal commenting:  “The Airport has grown considerably since it was opened over 22 years ago, and it was not designed for the number of passengers that use it today.  We project that passenger figures will reach 700,000 by the end of 2008 and it is vital that the Airport infrastructure and services are developed to facilitate airline, tour operators, passengers and other users of the airport. In our ‘Vision 2020’ statement, the Airport set out clear targets for the future, including the need to provide services for 1 million passengers by 2010. These new infrastructural developments form part of the Airport’s long term masterplan to ensure we can provide the infrastructure to service the continued increase in passenger numbers and aircraft movements now and into the future. On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Ireland West Knock I would like to thank everyone who has assisted us in getting this development off the ground.”

The Terminal Building extension will be delivered on a phased basis with the first elements of the facility available for use this winter 2008 with overall completion scheduled for spring 2009. The project is being managed by Tomás Grimes, Property Manager, Ireland West Airport Knock - a grand nephew of the Late Monsignor Horan, who founded and managed the original construction of the Airport in the 1980’s. Commenting on this development Mr. Grimes said: “The new terminal is designed to expand, improve and modernise Ireland West Airport Knock for passengers travelling in the 21^st century. We congratulate John Sisk & Sons on winning the tender and we look forward to completing this project on time and within budget. I am very proud to be continuing the family tradition of helping to develop this much appreciated infrastructural project for the West and North West region. “