• 20 Oct, 2016
• Business, Nature

The rise and rise of Ireland West Airport will be explored in a new six-part UTV Ireland documentary series beginning on Monday, November 7th, at 8 p.m.

For the first time, you'll get to see inside the unlikely success story of an airport which was initially a strip of tarmacadam atop a peaty mountain in 'The Airport Up in Knock'.

With exclusive access to all areas of the airport, 'The Airport Up in Knock' is a unique documentary following the daily lives of the customers and staff and demonstrates how tightly woven the airport is into the modern DNA of Mayo and the West of Ireland. 

Over the last three decades, the airport has seen its yearly passenger numbers increase from just over 9,000 in its first year, to a forecasted 725,000 passengers in its 30th. Ireland West Airport boasts an average of 150 flights per week, to 23 destinations across the UK, Europe and the United States.

More than 300,000 visitors from overseas visit the region annually through the airport, contributing to an annual tourism spend of €133m, which supports close to one million bed nights and over 900 jobs in the wider region.

Aside from providing a vital lifeline to the tourism trade and businesses in the West of Ireland, the airport also provides local employment, with 100 full time employees - rising to 150 (including part-time) during the summer season.

Speaking about the brand new series, The Airport up in Knock, executive producer Jamie D’Alton of Motive Television said: “This series was inspired by the tireless work of those who make Knock Airport an important gateway to the west of Ireland.

“We wanted to highlight the vast visitor numbers that the airport generates in the wider region, as well as the important role it plays in the daily lives of many local people through employment. Business is booming, and as the airport celebrates its 30th birthday this year, it’s showing no signs of slowing down!”

The Airport Up in Knock airs at 8pm on Monday 7 November on UTV Ireland.