For the second time in three years, Ireland West Airport Knock has been voted the best regional airport by Chambers Ireland’s Air Transport Users Council (ATUC). The award was presented to the airport today, Tuesday 25th April 2006, by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D., at a ceremony in Dublin attended by senior heads of aviation and the tourism industry.
The Airport was voted ‘Best Regional Airport 2006’ by the ATUC following its commissioning of an extensive independent survey of Irish business people carried out by Ipsos MORI. The objective of the survey was to determine which airlines and airports are considered to provide the best service and overall value for money in Ireland.
Since Ireland West Airport Knock won the award previously in 2004, the airport has undergone significant development and growth which has greatly enhanced the airport’s level of service and value offering to its customers in the West and North West of Ireland. The airport, which is the fastest growing airport in Ireland for two years running, has more than doubled the number of scheduled flights from 28 in 2003 to over 60 for Summer 2006. In addition, the range of holiday destinations has been expanded with most of Ireland’s leading tour operators now providing charters to over a dozen holiday routes direct to Europe’s top sun, ski and pilgrimage destinations including for the first time new flights to Crete, Croatia and Salou. Customers can avail of an expanded car parking facility which is within minutes walk of the Terminal building and which costs only €22 per week – making it more competitive than most other airports in the country. Other developments include:-
Enhanced main concourse, check-in, arrivals and departures areas
More choices for dining and shopping
New facilities to enable the handling of more flights to UK, European and USA destinations
Car parking increased to over 1,300 spaces
Bus terminus for planned coach services to cities and towns in the region
Upgraded fire fighting capabilities
Safety and security enhancements
Mr. Liam Scollan, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock said: “I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of our board, management and all our hardworking and dedicated staff. This award demonstrates how our customers are voting with their feet as our passenger numbers have increased by 170% from 196,000 in 2002 to 530,000 in 2005, with 650,000 passengers projected for 2006. We thank all our customers for their support and indeed our partner airlines and tour operators that have expanded their services over the past number of years. Clearly all our customers and partners value the increasing popularity of Ireland West Airport Knock and our positioning as the airport of choice for the region. This award reflects the contribution of all our 125 staff who have also recently been recognised as first for customer services across easyJet’s European network of 68 airports. Going forward we intend to build on this positive foundation and reputation to further enhance our services to the region. We have much more to achieve as we continue to implement our twenty year vision for Ireland West Airport Knock.”
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