€1.9m for Ireland West Airport Knock

THE provision of €1,916,562 to Ireland West Airport, announced yesterday by the government, will help the airport to develop as a top quality facility for the west and northwest of the country.

The funding, said Minister Michael Ring, is further proof of the government’s support for Ireland West Airport and for the economic development of the region.

He commented: “Since 2011, Fine Gael led governments have invested more than €18.5 million in IWAK and we will continue to support the airport every step of the way. This is an investment in the future development of Mayo and the northwest of the country.

“In my current role and in my previous role as Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am glad to have been able to play a part in the success of regional airports, including Ireland West Airport.

“I recently opened the new visitor discovery centre, which is the first of its kind at an airport in the country. It will be a great first point of contact for overseas visitors arriving into the west of Ireland and will enhance the visitor experience throughout the region.

“Funding of €400,000 was provided for the project by my Department through the REDZ scheme.”

He added: “The airport will have its busiest ever year this year, with 770,000 passengers, and 2019 is set to surpass this again with close to 800,000 passengers forecasted.

“Ireland West Airport Knock is a key international connectivity hub along the Atlantic Economic Corridor area, which aims to maximise the cities and growth towns along the western seaboard to attract jobs and Irish and international investment into the region.”

Welcome

Ireland West Airport welcomed the announcement of funding of €1,916,562 to the airport, made under the Public Policy Remit Operational Expenditure Subvention (PPR-O) Scheme for 2018.

The programme provides for Exchequer support to contribute towards the significant operational costs associated with air traffic control, fire, safety and security at the airport.

Said chairman Arthur French: “We wish to acknowledge the support of Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, and the continued positive support received from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in awarding this funding to the airport. We also wish to thank Minister Michael Ring and his department for their ongoing support and in particular for the development of the new visitor discovery centre at the airport which opened last week and which will be a huge asset for the promotion of the region. We wish to also extend our thanks to local public representatives for their support for the airport throughout the year.

“2018 will see the airport record its busiest ever year with passenger numbers set to exceed 770,000 for the first time. This year has also seen the airport complete a number of major projects aimed at transforming the facility and modernizing the airport to ensure the facility will meet the future needs of both our airline customers and passengers.”

Mr. French continued: “The recent investment into the airport by our local authority partners is also key to supporting the delivery of these projects and we will shortly commence what will be the single largest capital investment project ever undertaken by the airport since its initial construction, the overlay of the main runway in early 2019. We look forward to continuing to work with government and regional stakeholders in driving the airport’s growth and development plans into the future.”