Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary disclosed plan to open a new base at Ireland West Airport, during Joint Committee on Transport and Communications debate on impact of Passenger Cap at Dublin Airport on Ryanair’s Business and Operations on 12 June. On 7 March last, Ryanair presented Transport Minister Eamon Ryan with plans to grow Irish traffic/tourism by 50% from 20 million to 30 million passengers p.a. over the next 6 years, under which Ryanair would invest over $1.6bn in new aircraft for Irish airports.
The plan would see the creation of over 800 new Irish jobs, doubling of traffic at Cork, Shannon, and Kerry, and opening of a new 2 aircraft base at Ireland West Airport Airport. Lifting the Dublin Airport cap would give Ryanair economies of scale for expansion.
Specifically in relation to Ireland West Airport Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary stated “At Knock, where we think there is a potential in the next year or two to open a base, we would add two aircraft, doubling Knock’s traffic from 700,000 to 1.5 million. In total, if the cap is lifted from Dublin Airport, Ryanair is willing to invest and grow passenger traffic in Ireland from 20 to 30 million passengers over the next six years.”
On 26 July Ryanair called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to immediately raise the artificial funding cap for Ireland’s regional airports from 1 million to 2 million passengers p.a., ensuring their eligibility for exchequer funding under the Department of Transport’s Regional Airports Programme to unlock regional airport growth.
Last year Ryanair recorded its busiest ever year for passenger numbers at Ireland West Airport carrying over 730,000 passengers, a 3% increase on 2022 passenger numbers.
This summer the Ryanair Group will operate its biggest ever summer sun and European city break schedule from the airport operating 17 routes including a a brand new service to Tenerife South, an increasing number of flights operated by 197 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 Gamechanger aircraft.
Image Credit: Ireland West Airport
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 27 July 2024 All Rights Reserved
