Knock Airport facing - Realignment

THE Department of Transport is seeking tenders for consultancy advice concerning options for the viability and growth of Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK), it has been confirmed.
The successful tenderer will be required to develop scenarios to ensure a secure and viable future for the facility into the future from a financial perspective.
The appointed consultants are expected to examine alternatives for the airport, including a realignment of operations based on the cessation of exchequer support after 2014.
They will be asked to outline if the proposed realignment will result in the reduction of services or passenger numbers at IWAK and the actions that need to be taken over the medium term to maintain the current level of service when government funding stops.
The plans should identify realistic growth options, both aviation and aviation related, for IWAK.
In addition, the consultants will be asked to provide a separate quotation for coordinating the work and reports from the IWAK study group into a coherent draft report format with conclusions and recommendations.
In response to a parliamentary question by Deputy John O’Mahony, chairman of the airport steering group, Minister Leo Varadkar outlined the level of funding and supports provided by his department in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 for the airport.
He stated: “Under the regional airports programme, a sum of €431,907 in operational (Opex) subvention was provided in 2011 and €589,644 in 2012.
“Applications from regional airports for Opex funding for 2013 will be invited later this year.
“Funding for capital works at IWAK under the Capex grant scheme amounted to €233,282 in 2011 and €699,007 in 2012.

“Capex funding of €2,039,927, including an additional €650,000 announced earlier this month, has been approved for drawdown at Knock in 2013, while a further €1,710,993 has been approved for drawdown by the airport in 2014.
“In addition, Tourism Ireland is investing in cooperative marketing campaigns to drive inbound tourism on IWAK routes, with expenditure of over €500,000 in 2011 supporting campaigns worth €1million, expenditure of €1,150,000 in 2012 supporting campaigns worth €1.85m and spend so far this year of €420,000 to support campaigns worth over €800,000.
Opportunities for further campaigns continue to be explored with carriers.
“Both the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and I have also encouraged the exploration of possibilities of cooperation between airports.
“In that regard I am aware that the chairman of Shannon Airport Authority, Rose Hynes, has initiated discussions with both IWAK and Kerry Airport on how existing cooperation can be further strengthened.”

Connaught Telegraph