News Archive

Holidaymakers in the West and North West Flock to the Summer Sun Destinations

Latest growth trend in national overseas travel reflected in latest figures from Ireland West Airport Knock as Holidaymakers in the West and North West Flock to the Summer Sun Destinations
Reflecting the latest and most recent quarterly CSO statistics which show a significant increase in the number Irish holidaymakers and business travellers making trips abroad, up 17% on the same period last year, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of holidaymakers from the West travelling overseas. Summer 2007 has got off to a flying start as holidaymakers from all over the region are heading to the hot summer sun destinations direct from Ireland West Airport Knock. Since the first summer sun charters started at Ireland West Airport Knock in 2001, the Airport in partnership with Ireland’s leading tour operators are increasing the number of holiday choices available direct from Ireland West Airport for holiday makers in the West, North West, Midlands and even as far as County Tipperary!
New direct destinations from the Airport for summer 2007 include Bourgas in Bulgaria operated by both XL Leisure and Concorde Travel; Split in Croatia operated by Concorde Travel. Salou in Spain operated by Falcon JWT as well as the leading West of Ireland tour operator company Great Escapes. Other in-demand destinations previously offered by a range of tour operators who include Concorde Travel, Falcon JWT, Great Escapes, Slatterys Sun, Stein Travel, Sunway and Paul Claffey Promotions such as Crete, Faro (Portugal), Lanzarote, Ibiza, Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Malaga and Cadiz/Reus in Spain are proving to be as popular as ever.
 
Commenting on the summer programme of 2007, Marketing and Communications Manager with Ireland West Airport Knock, Annette Kearney said: “In 2006, the Airport served 70,000 passengers on charter flights to the sun and ski resorts. Charter passenger figures for 2007 are projected to reach some 90,000 - an increase of almost 30% on last year. We will continue to try and open up exciting new destinations for our customers as we believe that more and more customers from further afield prefer to use Ireland West Airport Knock as the most value-oriented, convenient and easy way to get to and from their holiday destination. For instance, typically a family will gain an extra day in saved road-travel time and compared to other airports in Ireland they will make significant savings on airport car parking charges which are just €28 per week at Ireland West Knock. The commencement of our new Bus Eireann routes from Derry through to Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway and Westport later next month will also make for more travel-friendly options for our customers.”

If you have not booked your summer holiday yet there are still many offers to fantastic destinations available from the tour operators or your local travel agents.
Great Escapes is operating three destinations from Ireland West Airport Knock including, Lanzarote, Crete and Salou with special offers from €399. Lanzarote is as popular as ever and is also available with Slatterys Sun and Stein Travel and Sunway. If you are looking for a holiday destination with a bit of everything then Las Palmas is for you. The capital island of Gran Canaria with magnificent scenery and a bustling city overflowing with Spanish culture is available from Falcon JWT, Slatterys Sun, Stein Travel and Sunway with prices starting from €384.
 
Ireland West Airport Knock offers a range of other Spanish holidays including Malaga with Falcon JWT, Slatterys Sun, Stein Travel from only €379, Palma Majorca is also operated by Slatterys Sun & Stein Travel, Falcon JWT and Sunway. Prices to this popular holiday spot start from €348. Or why not try Spain’s beautiful neighbour Portugal. Both Falcon JWT and Slattery Stein are offering fantastic packages to the beautiful Algarve destination of Faro with prices starting from just €599.
If you are looking for a new holiday experience beyond the Mediterranean sun of Spain then look no further than two of the fastest growing holiday destinations from Ireland, the beautiful Eastern European countries of Bulgaria and Croatia. XL Leisure is offering trips to Bourgas in Bulgaria from only €489. Returning again for 2007 is the popular destination of Split in Croatia which is being operated by Concorde Travel who is offering packages from only €440.
 
Ireland West Airport Knock not only offers a more direct, convenient and accessible route choices too many leading holiday destinations but great value too. The Travel Value Shop at Ireland West Airport Knock offers great low prices on a large selection of well known brands including Dolce & Gabbna, Gucci, Hugo Boss, and Burberry with lots more. For passengers travelling onwards to New York or Boston a new duty free shop is now opened. Additional airport services opened this year include a Bureau de Change and refurbished catering and retail outlets resulting in a new retail shop, café and smoothie bar in the departures lounge which was opened in May.
 
Passengers also have a further choice with the ever growing scheduled services at Ireland West Airport Knock which are ideal for summer breaks including; Boston, Birmingham, East Midlands, London, Manchester and New York. By the end of 2007 a new Bristol route will commence which is an ideal gateway to many of the UK’s leading destinations including Bath and Cardiff.
For more information on all 2007 summer sun destinations contact your local travel agent, tour operator or logon to www.irelandwestairport.com
 
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