Airport Delays 07.12.2013

Technical problems at the air traffic control centre is causing delays at airports across the UK.
A Stansted Airport spokesman said all of its departing flights were subject to delays of between 30 minutes and two hours, while Gatwick Airport said 20pc of its departures had been delayed, with passengers warned they could wait for "a couple of hours".The British National Air Traffic Services (Nats) said the issue stemmed from it control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.
A spokesman said: "Due to a technical problem at Swanwick, we are currently experiencing some difficulty switching from night-time to daytime operation. This may result in some delays, for which we apologise.
 
A spokeswoman for Dublin Airport said: "I understand that there are some flight delays as a result of air traffic control issues in the UK."
Aer Lingus has said that one in 10 flights into and out of the country are delayed.
Among delays the airline listed by Ryanair were its flight from London Luton to Dublin, London Stansted to Dublin, Dublin to Birmingham, Dublin to Newcastle and Cork to London Stantstead.
The Stansted spokesman said: "There are restrictions on the air space and the flow of aircraft. Our first departures go at 6am, so that's when the problems started."

Knock Airport - Ryanairs New Services

Budget airline Ryanair has announced another batch of new routes out of the west of Ireland on the back of the travel tax being scrapped.
The carrier will run three new services from Knock — to Eindhoven in Holland, Glasgow-Prestwick in Scotland, and Kaunas in Lithuania — from April.

Ryanair has also committed to increase frequencies on its London route.

Meanwhile, Cork Airport unveiled its winter schedule with 1m seats from Cork on offer for winter 2013.

Aer Lingus Regional is to increase its seats by 10% from Cork this winter and offer up to three flights a day on services to Manchester and Birmingham.

Ryanair will launch its new, three times weekly service from Cork to East Midlands, serving Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester from Nov 6.

Director of Cork Airport Niall MacCarthy said: “With over one million seats available from Cork Airport for winter 2013/2014, there has never been a better time to take a break or connect with loved ones abroad.

“Flying direct from Cork has never been easier and passengers get to experience our best in class customer service first hand.”

Ryanair claimed it will support 80 jobs following its announcement at Knock Airport, part of its aim to carry an additional 1m people at Irish airports in a direct response to the Government lifting the €3 travel tax from April.

Ryanair has already made announcements for eight new routes out of Shannon and plans other investments for Cork, Dublin, and Kerry in the coming weeks.

Ryanair’s Michael Cawley said: “The scrapping of the travel tax will help restore Ireland’s competitiveness and attractiveness to overseas visitors from the UK and continental Europe in particular.”

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Knock Airport August Traffic

Ireland West Airport Knock experienced the second busiest month in their 28 year history in August with over 85,000 passengers passing through the airport last month.

Over 61,000 passengers travelled on flights to and from the UK in August, a 5% increase on the same period in 2012. August also saw a major increase in the number of German visitors to the West of Ireland with passenger numbers on Lufthansas weekly service from Dusseldorf increasing by 67% in August, compared to same period last year, which is welcome news for tourism in the region given Lufthansa provides the only direct access from the German market to the entire West coast of Ireland.

August also saw a significant increase in passenger numbers travelling to popular European sun destinations with numbers increasing by 4%, with over 20,000 passengers travelling to destinations such as Malaga, Tenerife, Barcelona, Alicante and Milan.

Commenting on a busy month Joe Gilmore, managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock said “We are delighted to have experienced our second busiest month in the airports history last month. with in particular, strong growth in traffic on our UK, German and sun services. This is a positive development for both the airport and tourism interests in the region and highlights the important role the airport and our airline partners plays in delivering low cost, convenient, direct access to the heart of the West and North West of Ireland’

Donegal Democrat

Knock - New Birmingham Service

New Birmingham service from Knock airport good news for the North-West. Ireland West Airport is stepping up its promotion campaign in Donegal following confirmation of a new Birmingham service from next month.

During a visit to Ireland West Airport in Knock last evening, Junior Tourism Minister Michael Ring announced that Flybe will be starting the new service from the end of next month, with the flights available for booking from today.
The service will operate on a four day a week basis, and will be Flybe’s third new service from the airport following the continued success of their services to Manchester and Edinburgh.
The new Birmingham service will commence on October 27th, and run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, replacing the service currently run by Aer Arrain under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.

Knock airport enjoys huge traffic in August

Ireland West Airport Knock experienced the second busiest month in their 28 year history in August with over 85,000 passengers passing through the airport last month.
Over 61,000 passengers travelled on flights to and from the UK in August, a 5% increase on the same period in 2012. August also saw a major increase in the number of German visitors to the West of Ireland with passenger numbers on Lufthansas weekly service from Dusseldorf increasing by 67% in August, compared to same period last year, which is welcome news for tourism in the region given Lufthansa provides the only direct access from the German market to the entire West coast of Ireland.
August also saw a significant increase in passenger numbers travelling to popular European sun destinations with numbers increasing by 4%, with over 20,000 passengers travelling to destinations such as Malaga, Tenerife, Barcelona, Alicante and Milan.
Commenting on a busy month Joe Gilmore, managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock said “We are delighted to have experienced our second busiest month in the airports history last month. with in particular, strong growth in traffic on our UK, German and sun services. This is a positive development for both the airport and tourism interests in the region and highlights the important role the airport and our airline partners plays in delivering low cost, convenient, direct access to the heart of the West and North West of Ireland’

Knock Airport: The flight of fancy that just took off

The 1980s news report is one of the classics of Irish television. Veteran reporter Jim Fahy was understandably bemused, having just chanced on a Catholic priest surrounded by workmen and bulldozers on a west of Ireland hilltop, miles from anywhere.

When the incredulous Fahy asked, "Monsignor Horan, what on earth are you doing?" the priest replied light-heartedly: "We're building an airport – now don't tell anybody. We've no money, but we're hoping to get it next week or the week after."
But, Fahy followed up, did he have planning permission? "I'm not sure whether I have permission or not," came the priest's tongue-in-cheek reply, "but I'm going ahead anyway, just taking a chance."
It was the start of an Irish saga featuring a remarkable character with some extraordinary ideas. Not all he dreamt of came to pass, but what he achieved was scarcely believable: he turned an improbable notion into a
 reality.
That remote muddy building site is today a functioning facility, Ireland West Airport, handling flights to and from London, Manchester, Barcelona, the Canaries and elsewhere. Although many said the priest was crazy, he turned out to be crazy like a fox. Appreciative locals have just unveiled a 9ft statue of him outside the airport in memory of the success of a dream pursued despite apparently insuperable odds.
In effect, it was a dual dream, fusing the secular and the spiritual by reducing the geographical and economic isolation of Co Mayo at the same time as promoting a religious revival and the development of a nearby shrine.
That part of Mayo still has its problems, especially with the recession that has hit Ireland so hard, but the airport is still in operation, while more than a million-and-a-half pilgrims a year make the trek to the shrine Monsignor Horan helped build up.
So how did he create so much out of so little? "He was that kind of once-in-a-generation figure who comes out of nowhere," says Fahy now. "He was a local hero, no question. There's still Horan adulation."
Terry Reilly, whose book on the priest has the delightfully apt title of On a Wing and a Prayer, adds that, "He was probably the biggest Mayo man ever in terms of looking after his people, not only their spiritual needs but also their day-to-day social needs. He was a man of big gestures, and he could match that with ferocious commitment to see the job done. His life had everything: concern for people, enterprise, colour, humour, pathos, immense energy, unique vision, victory over adversity, and much more."

Joe Kennedy Knock Airport Chairman

THE board of Ireland West Airport Knock has announced that Mr. Joe Kennedy will succeed Liam Scollan as the board’s new chairman. Joe joined the board in 2002 and was elected chairman that year. He made a very significant contribution to the development of the airport during his first term as chairman before stepping down in 2009, and the board is delighted to welcome him back for a second term.

Joe is well-known as one of the most respected and renowned businessmen to come from Mayo and is widely respected. Setting up his construction business, J Kennedy & Co Ltd, in Manchester in 1959, it expanded into other parts of the UK and from there into the Middle East and parts of America, and grew to become a multi-million pound enterprise.

He also had the honour of being bequeathed as a Knight commander of St. Gregory (K.S.G.) by His Holiness, the late Pope John Paul II, in 1992 and established the Kennedy Charitable Foundation through which he has supported hundreds of causes both in Ireland and the UK.

His many projects include education, particularly religious education, emigrant causes and peacemaking in Northern Ireland, as well as numerous Irish and community initiatives on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Joe was also given the honour of being named the recipient of Mayo Person of the Year Award in 2010.

He takes on the role as chairman at an important stage of the airport's development and the board and management wish Joe well in his new role.

Revenue seize 20k in cash at Knock airport

Revenue officers seized 20,000 in cash when they stopped a couple who had arrived at Knock airport on a flight from Lanzarote.

The cash was found concealed in items of clothing in their carry-on luggage.

At Carrick on Shannon District Court, this morning, officers were granted a three month detention order, in respect of the cash, by Judge Geoffrey Browne in order to carry out further investigations.


Kildare Nationalist

Knock Airport brilliant graffiti sign

Manchester United fans will appreciate the very clever piece of graffiti on an RVP sign at Knock Airport. Liverpool fans Not so much…
Considering that RVP signs (they mean rendezvous point and yes, we had to look that up) we’re surprised that they haven’t been tampered with in the manner that one of them was in Knock Airport recently.
 
Whoever was responsible for defacing the sign with a reference to the number of Premier League titles held by RVP and Steven Gerrard below will certainly have earned the kudos of Manchester United fans in the Mayo area.
 
Liverpool fans, of course, could easily reverse the figures as far as Champions League titles are concerned but even they might appreciate the wit on show here.

 www.Joe.ie

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

Knock Airport strategic Study

The news that consultants will have to be employed to carry out a strategic study of Knock airport and its future direction, which will not be ready until September, was greeted with dismay from the opposition benches at the May meeting of Mayo County Council. County manager Peter Hynes, who is also a board member of the airport, gave the elected members an update on the work of the strategic review body of the airport which has met twice in the recent past to plan its future. Mr Hynes told the meeting, “It’s best to have the right plan in place, not the quickest plan”. He said that consultants were close to being employed to carry out the survey, which will have to be part funded by the council along with the other interested bodies involved with the airport.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Al McDonnell said, “I’m very disappointed with what the manager has to say, but I’ll take it up with him at the June meeting”. (The May meeting had been agreed to be adjourned after an hour as a mark of respect to a council employee who passed away last weekend). Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray said, “I’m astonished that we have to employ consultants. The big crisis is the bail out of Shannon to the tune of €100 million and the €8 million a year it will get in rents from the Shannon Development properties. Already we’ve lost two routes to Shannon”. However, Mr Hynes refuted that any routes had been lost to Shannon, telling the meeting there was no evidence that routes that were no longer flying were lost to Shannon at all. He also said the board of the airport were 100 per cent behind the current plan.

Mayo Advertiser

Knock airport launches new campaign

Ireland West Airport Knock has announced that five of the GAAs best-known stars have become ambassadors for the the airport.

Mayo’s Alan Dillon, Michael Meehan from Galway, Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy from Donegal, and Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan will be the face of the airport’s ‘Supporting Your Community’ campaign.
“As a frequent user of the airport, I can see first hand the importance and invaluable role the airport plays for the region. It’s a great asset for people living in the Midlands and it’s only a little over an hour down the road,” Dessie Dolan said.

Longford Leader

Ireland West Airport Knock

The best known GAA stars in Ireland, among them Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy, will join forces as ambassadors for Ireland West Airport Knock this coming summer.

They are among five players who represent counties from the region the others are Alan Dillon from Mayo, Michael Meehan from Galway and Dessie Dolan from Westmeath.

The players will be the face of a new marketing campaign titled ‘Supporting Your Community’ which will be rolled out across various media channels throughout the summer season showcasing the important role Ireland West Airport Knock plays for the regions in which it serves.

The Airport currently employs over 125 people from around the region, supports 900 additional jobs and contributes a tourism spend of over €110m in the wider region.

This summer the airport will have flights to over 25 International destinations including exciting new services to Malaga with Ryanair and Palma Majorca with Sunday as well as increased

flights from both London Luton and Stansted.

Karl Lacey, Donegal GAA star and current player of the year, speaking at the launch of the airport’s summer schedule said, “When the airport approached me about the ambassadorial role, I had no hesitation in accepting. As a frequent user of the airport I can see first hand the importance and invaluable role the airport plays for the region and it’s a great asset for people living in Donegal and the North West region, providing employment, connectivity to over 25 destinations and so convenient, only a little over an hour down the road. I’m delighted to play my part in supporting the airport in this regard.”

Donal Healy, Marketing manager Ireland West Airport Knock said, “We are delighted to have Karl, Michael and the other GAA lads as ambassadors for the airport. These players are brilliant role-models and some of the most recognised sports personalities in Ireland. As a community owned airport the airport prides itself on our ‘community ethos’ and we feel the GAA represents the perfect partnership for the airport given the lads represent counties from across our catchment region and have all given so much to their local clubs and counties over the last number of years”.

75m investment plan for Knock airport considered

A 75 million investment plan for the development of Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) was discussed at the inaugural meeting of a group appointed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to secure its future sustainability. Chaired by John O’Mahony TD, the group is comprised of officials from the Departments of Enterprise, Transport and Finance, as well as local business leaders, including Mr Pat Gallagher, the general manager of Baxter Healthcare and airport board member, Martin Gillen of Allergan.

The group, which will consider a mix of public-private funding over a period of five years, is set to report to Enda Kenny and Minister Leo Varadkar by June 30 next.

Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, John O’Mahony said it was still early days for the planning group, since it had taken some time to define the terms of reference.

Disruption to Cork and Dublin airports

Severe winds on Tuesday night have caused distruption to Cork and Dublin Airports, leading to delays and cancelled flights.
Dublin Airport said the delays from the overnight winds, will have a ‘knock-on impact’ on Wednesday’s operations at the Airport, as a number of aircraft were ‘out of position’ as a result.
Intending passengers should check with their airline or airline website regarding the status of their flight.

Cancelled
It is reported that just over 20 flights out of Dublin Airport were cancelled, five from Ryanair.

One passenger, Eamon, told Inside Ireland.ie that he was due to fly from Dublin to Hamburg in Germany at 6.50am and got the 3am bus from Belfast on Wednesday morning.
He said there was chaos at the airport and that it was easier to check online, which he did from his phone.
He found out the flight was cancelled. He re-booked the flight free of charge for the same time on Friday morning, but had to go back to Belfast.
He is not sure about re-imbursement for the €20 bus fare.

Ireland West Airport Knock scoops business award

Mayo-based company, Ireland West Airport Knock scooped the Social Enterprise Award at the Connacht provincial final of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards.

Seven other leading businesses from across Connacht were selected as winners at the awards ceremony, which took place at The Clayton Hotel on 9th April.
 

This year, the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards received a record number of entries, totaling almost 600, from across the island of Ireland. 66 entries were submitted from across Connacht.
Ireland West Airport Knock is held in trust for the people of the West of Ireland. From humble beginnings 27 years ago, the airport is now the fastest growing airport in Ireland employing over 145 staff from the region. Contributing over €100m to the regional economy, the company is now serving 25 international destinations and almost 700,000 passengers annually.

EU competition authority meets with Knock airport Board

EU competition authority meets with Knock airport Board. Possibility of industrial activity at Mayo base in the years ahead.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013 12:29


A SENIOR delegation representing the EU directorate general for competition has met with the board of Ireland West Airport Knock to hear their concerns regarding the government’s €300 million bailout of their rival, Shannon Airport.

According to Fianna Fáil Senator Marc McSharry, an agreement was reached to examine a way forward over the coming weeks.

He stated: “I hope that will culminate in the announcement of an investment programme.

“More can be given to Shannon but something proportionate must be done for Ireland West Airport Knock so that, together, both can ensure the western seaboard can act as a driver and contributor to the national effort in a sustainable way.”

Senator McSharry said he used the vehicle of lodging a complaint to the Brussels based authority to highlight the need for Taoiseach Enda Kenny to effectively do something for his region ‘in the same way the Minister for Finance is so admirably doing something for his region in the context of Shannon Airport’.

Ireland West Airport Knock

Ireland West Airport Knock has welcomed endorsements received from communities and organisations around the West and North West regions.

The expressions of support follow An Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s announcement in January that a detailed strategic study of the potential for the airport would be undertaken by the end of May. The airport is currently working alongside the Government to agree to finalise the structure and terms of reference for this study.

Almost 30 businesses from around the region have met with the airport in a show of solidarity and recognition of its vital role for business and the region. The support from business people follows recent motions of support passed by county councils throughout the region in Roscommon, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo endorsing the airport’s future plans and its importance to the West and North West.

Developing Knock Airport

THE Government has agreed to set up a four-month consultation process to look at ways of developing Knock airport.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and a delegation of ministers met airport bosses yesterday and agreed to set up a team incorporating business leaders from home and abroad to look at how the airport can maximise its potential.

The move follows calls by management at Ireland West Airport for help in raising vital funding if it is to keep pace with Shannon and other airports.

The management team believe €75m will be needed over a four- to five-year period to develop the airport.

Knock chief executive Liam Scollan said the meeting had been "constructive".

Developing Knock Airport

THE Government has agreed to set up a four-month consultation process to look at ways of developing Knock airport.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and a delegation of ministers met airport bosses yesterday and agreed to set up a team incorporating business leaders from home and abroad to look at how the airport can maximise its potential.
The move follows calls by management at Ireland West Airport for help in raising vital funding if it is to keep pace with Shannon and other airports.
The management team believe €75m will be needed over a four- to five-year period to develop the airport.

Knock chief executive Liam Scollan said the meeting had been "constructive".

Irish Independent