€356,000 grant for Knock Airport

Substantial grant-aid given to Knock Airport by Minister Dempsey


Anton McNulty

IRELAND West Airport Knock has received an allocation of €356,000 of grant funding under the 2010 Core Operational Expenditure Scheme.
The grant was forwarded to the airport following an application made to the Department of Transport earlier this year. Liam Scollan, Chairman of IWAK said that that state investment in the airport has delivered great returns and thanked the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey and the local government representatives for their interventions in securing the funding.
“The level of overall financial support is of a smaller scale than other regional airports or of the scale of continued government public investment in the DAA run airports. This is as a result of our continued drive to maximise self financing from airport-related commercial and aviation revenues. We expect passenger numbers to be close to 2009 levels despite the traffic disruptions from ash earlier in year and the economic downturn.”
Mr Scollan added that the airport returns in excess of €10m annually in tax and PRSI revenues to the exchequer and supports €60m in tourism spend.
“It is our intention that a collaborative approach between state support, private investment and our own commercial returns will form the basis of a strong sustainable airport for this region,” he concluded.
The funding was welcomed by Fianna FΡil TD, Beverley Flynn who said that Knock Airport is a key element in the infrastructure of the west of Ireland.
“Knock Airport will this year see a throughput of 600,000 passengers, emphasising the facility’s key role in providing employment, and generating revenue and prosperity for the region. This grant will be a great boost to Knock Airport in further developing its potential,” she said.