Passenger numbers booming at Knock

Passenger numbers increased by 55% to 287,000 between January and September at Knock International Airport, the airport announced today.

Charter passenger numbers almost doubled from 26,000 in 2003 to 51,000 in 2004.

Chief Executive of Knock International Airport Liam Scollan said: "2004 continues to show very positive growth for the airport."

He added that Knock had started an October-November charter service to Cape Town and would operate skiing charters to Andorra with Panorama Holidays between now and Christmas.

easyJet is also set to start a London-Gatwick service in January, and in summer 2005 both Stein Travel and Falcon/JWT will operate charters to Faro.

Mr Scollan said Knock is capable of achieving one million passengers by 2008, if there is additional investment in facilities and strong government support.

In June 2004 the airport submitted a €41m visionary investment programme to the Government as part of the lead-up to the second round of the National Development Fund 2005-2006.