Ryanair launches sun routes out of Kerry and Knock

NEW services from Kerry and Knock airports to sun destinations were announced yesterday, following Ryanair’s decision to switch routes from Shannon Airport.

From the end of March next, there will be direct, twice-weekly, flights from the regional airports to Faro in Portugal and Alicante in Spain.

The services will operate until the end of October 2010. Currently, fares are €30 one-way.

As a result, Ryanair’s Shannon base will be reduced from four aircraft to one from March 28.

The airline’s head of sales and marketing, Lesley Kane said the switch had been made possible because of lower costs at the regional airports.

“We’re moving from a high-cost monopoly to airports that offer similar services for significantly less cost,” she told a media briefing at Kerry Airport.

“As commercially-run airports, Kerry and Knock realise airports and airlines must work together to reduce the cost of travel to Ireland as the Irish government’s suicidal €10 tourist tax continues to collapse Irish traffic and tourism.”

The flights to Faro and Alicante will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays and are expected to be used by people from many parts of Munster.

The services are expected to be popular and management hopes to increase passenger numbers at Kerry Airport by 30,000.

Kerry Airport financial controller Basil Sheerin said summer sun destinations had historically proven to be very popular routes from Farranfore.

“We are confident both routes will be a success and well supported as demand for these destinations should be strong locally,” he said.

At present, Kerry Airport, with more than 400,000 passengers annually, has direct scheduled services by Ryanair to Dublin, London and Frankfurt/Hahn.