Ireland West Airport Knock sets another record for passenger numbers

For the first time in its history, passenger numbers at Ireland West Airport Knock have risen to 834,000. This represents a 2 per cent increase on 2023 and surpasses the previous record of 817,000 passengers achieved that year. 

Ryanair recorded its busiest-ever year for passenger traffic at the airport, with record numbers using its services to the likes of Liverpool and London Luton. Aer Lingus also recorded its busiest-ever year for passenger traffic at the airport, with its London Heathrow service going from strength to strength in 2024.

The airport now serves 22 International destinations and is served by three of Europe’s major international airlines: Aer Lingus, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair.

In 2024, the number of passengers travelling on services to and from the UK totalled 667,732, an increase of 1 per cent compared to 2023. 

The number of passengers travelling on services to Mainland and Continental Europe hit a new high for the airport, with 165,500 passengers travelling to and from Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Majorca, Malaga, Milan, Cologne, Lanzarote, and Tenerife - a 9 per cent increase on 2023 figures.

August was the busiest month of the year, with 90,355 passengers travelling through the airport during this period. The busiest individual day of the year also occurred on Sunday, August 18, when over 3,600 passengers travelled through the airport. In total, almost 6,000 flights arrived and departed at the airport in 2024.

A new inbound tourism service from Groningen, Netherlands, is due to commence in June while Ryanair will increase capacity at the airport by approximately 10 percent in 2025.

With the support of the Department of Transport, almost €7,000,000 was invested in completing safety, security and infrastructural projects at the airport in 2024. 

Commenting on the airport’s 2024 performance, Arthur French, Chairman of Ireland West Airport, thanked the outgoing government, ministers and TDs for their support for the airport in 2024. 

He also expressed thanks to their customers, airline and tour operator partners, stakeholders, tourism groups, local authority and airport staff for their ongoing support

“Whilst the coming year will present many challenges, we will continue to work with our stakeholders and airline partners to grow our suite of routes from the airport whilst continuing to invest in our airport transformation and sustainability programmes,” added Mr French.