Knock Airport reports 55% increase in passenger numbers

Passenger numbers at Knock airport rose 55% to 52,600 between January and March, over the same period last year.

Two new daily routes - Manchester and Glasgow - began and a new daily route to Nottingham East Midlands will begin this Friday.

Construction work continued at the airport in order to meet the increased numbers with the new €1m arrivals area due for completion during Q2.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) also announced funding of €317,000 towards the strategic development of the airport.

Liam Scollan, Chief Executive of Knock International Airport said: "2003 was the most successful year in the history of Knock International Airport with 250,000 passengers.

We are building on this success in 2004 and, based on our first quarter passenger numbers, are confident that we will achieve in excess of 400,000 passengers, an increase of 60%, this year," he added.

The Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan officially opened a new €2 million departures and retail area in February.