Business
2,500,000 RyanAir Knock Passengers
By Annette Kearney
Apr 30, 2007 - 7:59:19 AM

On Tuesday, 24th April 2007, the 2.5 millionth Ryanair passenger to pass through Ireland West Airport Knock was announced. To mark this significant milestone in Ryanair’s 21 year operations at Ireland West Airport Knock, Ryanair presented the 2.5 millionth passenger with a cheque for 2,500 euro together with vouchers and champagne from Ireland West Airport Knock. A delighted Mr. Francis "Tony" Carolan from Hayes, Middlesex, who is originally from Drumlish, Co. Longford and having lived in London for the last 58 years, was identified as the lucky passenger and he received his prizes as he boarded the London Luton flight. Mr Carolan is a frequent flyer through Ireland West Knock for the past two decades as he travels back and forth to visit his friends and relatives in the North West of Ireland. He was accompanied by his daughter Annette and her husband Michael McKeown from Ballisodare, Co. Sligo.

Pictured left to right: Katrina Brennan, Customer Service Agent, Ireland West Airport Knock; Sheila Cannon, Customer Service Supervisor, Ireland West Airport Knock; Lorna Farren, Communications Executive, Ryanair; Francis Carolan, Ireland West Airport%u2019s 2.5 millionth Ryanair passenger; Collette Concannon, Ryanair Station Manager; Hayley Marriott and Sarah Casserley, Customer Service Agents, Ireland West Airport Knock celebrating the announcement of the 2.5 millionth passenger to pass through Ireland West Airport Knock on Tuesday 24th April 2007. Pic: Michael McCormack

Ireland West Airport Knock operates three Ryanair services currently; two daily services to London Luton and London Stansted, and four times a week service to East Midlands. Speaking at today’s milestone event, Lorna Farren, Communications Executive, Ryanair said:  "Ryanair was the first airline to offer scheduled services from Ireland West  Knock in 1986 and we are delighted to be celebrating such a tremendous milestone, as our 2.5 millionth passenger travels through the airport.  We would like to congratulate Francis, and look forward to carrying millions more passengers on our three routes from the airport over the coming years."

Pictured left to right: Michelle Hunt, Ryanair Customer Service Agent, Ireland West Airport Knock; Michael McKeown, Ballisodare, Co Sligo; Francis Carolan, Ireland West Airport%u2019s 2.5 millionth Ryanair passenger and his daughter Annette McKeown with Collette Concannon, Ryanair Station Manager at Ireland West Airport Knock, celebrating the announcement of the 2.5 millionth passenger to pass through Ireland West Airport Knock on Tuesday 24th April 2007. Pic: Michael McCormack

Annette Kearney, Marketing and Communications Manager, Ireland West Airport Knock commented: "We are  very pleased that the existing Ryanair routes to Stansted and Luton continue to perform well and that our new route to  East Midlands, which was launched on February 27th  last, is going equally well. Together we have already achieved seat sales of 70% on the East Midlands  flight in April so far- just one month after the flight was launched.  We look forward to future expansion of routes with Ryanair and to the next Ryanair milestone as the airport continues to focus on achieving 1 million annual passengers by 2009."

Pictured left to right: Lorna Farren, Communications Executive, Ryanair; Francis Carolan, Ireland West Airport%u2019s 2.5 millionth Ryanair passenger; Collette Concannon, Ryanair Station Manager at Ireland West Airport Knock and Annette Kearney, Marketing and Communications Manager, Ireland West Airport Knock celebrating the announcement of the 2.5 millionth passenger to pass through Ireland West Airport Knock on Tuesday 24th April 2007. Pic: Michael McCormack

Carrowholly National School, Westport fifth and sixth class enjoying the celebrations at the announcement of the 2.5 millionth Ryanair passenger through Ireland West Airport Knock. Pictured left to right: Carrowholly National School with their Principal Mr Peter Carney and teachers Ms Hilda Reilly and Mr Kennett Lynskey. They were all flying on the Luton London flight to take part in a school exchange with Milton Keynes School in London for four days.