Ireland West Airport (2024)

Company Information

Ireland West Airport is unique in the Irish aviation industry in that it is operated as an independent airport by Connaught Airport Development Company (CADCO) Ltd, a private company responsible for its day-to- day operation. The shareholding of CADCO is a Partnership between the Horan AirportTrust and seven local authorities in the West and North West region who each have an 82.5% and 17.5% shareholding respectively of the company. The responsibility of the trustees of the Horan Airport Trust is to ensure that any profits generated by the airport are re invested in the airport with a focus on providing support to the surrounding region. Through this structure, a level of community and regional-economy involvement is brought to bear on the airport’s focus not common elsewhere.

Airport Mission Statement

• Shareholders

  Horan Airport Trust

• Donegal County Council

• Galway City Council

• Galway County Council

• Leitrim County Council

• Mayo County Council

• Roscommon County Council

• Sligo County Council

• Horan Airport Trust Members

• Kevin Kelly

  Chairman, CE Mayo County Council

• Fr, Richard Gibbons

  Parish Priest, Knock Shrine

• Most Reverend Francis Duffy

  Archbishop of Tuam, Trustee

• Arthur French

  Chairperson of Connaught Airport Development Company

• Archbishop Emeritus, Michael Neary

  Trustee

• David McConn

  Trustee

• Connaught Airport Development Company - Board of Directors

• Arthur French

  Chairperson

• Brian O'Dwyer (USA)

  International Chairperson

• Shane Tiernan

  Director

• Archbishop Francis Duffy

  Director

• Fr. Richard Gibbons

  Director

• Kevin Kelly

  Director

• Joseph Gilmore

  Managing Director

• Timothy McDermott (UK)

  Director

• Patrick Gallagher

  Director

• Sean Mulryan

  Director

• Emer Gilvarry

  Director

• Andrew Gallagher

  Director

• Bryana Hindle-Jennings

  Company Secretary

The establishment of ‘Knock Airport’ (as it was known at the time) was the brain child of Monsignor James Horan in the 1980’s, at a time of widespread economic stagnation and mass emigration from the West of Ireland. Monsignor James Horan, Parish Priest of Knock, and a group of key supporters had the extraordinary vision to build an international airport, which to many seemed unrealistic and unattainable.

The project was the subject of much public debate and media attention. The building of the airport is a remarkable story of one man’s and a region’s pursuit of a dream and the steadfast determination to keep going until the project was achieved. Ireland West Airport is the people’s airport as it is a monument to a communitiesdetermination to turn its fortune in time of economic hardship.

Thirty years on from its official opening, 2016 seen the airport celebrate its 30th anniversary and fittingly had its busiest ever year with passenger numbers reaching 734,000 for the first time in the airport’s history. It was also a historic year as an investment by 7 local authorities for an equity shareholding into the airport was finalised which has seen the formation of a unique and positive collaboration with local government in the areas of tourism, economic development and diaspora engagement.

As we look ahead to the future, while the economic situation presents many challenges both at home and in our key markets, the airport remains confident as a result of the strong business relationships the airport has with its airline customers. The positive regional support from the thousands of passengers that use the facility and the recent investment by the local authorities and continued support from Government that the future will mark further significant milestones in the airport’s growth and development.

Operations

• Airport operating hours as per NOTAM
• 364 days a year (Closed Christmas Day)
• 6,208flight movements in 2022

Aviation Statistics

• 722k passengers in 2022
• 20International destinations
• Served by Aer LIngus, Ryanair, Joe Walsh Tours

Technical Information

• IATA Code: NOC ICAO Code: EIKN
• Number of runways: 1
• Runway Length: r/w 08/26: 2340 metres
• Runway Lighting System: Category II
• Map reference
• Latitude - 53 54 North
• Longitude - 08 49 West
• Elevation - 665 feet above sea level
• Terminal opened: 1986

Top 5 Destinations 2023

• London
• Liverpool
• East Midlands (Nottingham)
• Bristol
• Manchester

2023 Statistics

• Ryanair launch new services to Tenerife and Lanzarote
• Aer Lingus launches new daily service to London Heathrow

Investment & Regional Economic Contribution

• 155 staff employed at Ireland West Airport supporting a further 900 jobs in the region
• Almost 300,000 overseas visitors to the region annually
• 900,000 bed nights supported, contributing a regional economic spend of over €182m annually*
• Over 200 local suppliers supported by the airport through our operational and commercial outputs
• €1.2m employee tax and PRSI paid directly to the exchequer annually
• €17m annual contribution to GVA*

*Ernst & Young Economic Study 2023

There are currently no job vacancies at Ireland West Airport. All new vacancies will be published here as they arise.