From Castlebar - County Mayo -

Business
Knock to Alicante
By Orla Gibney
16, Jan 2009 - 08:59

Ireland West Airport Knock on Wednesday 14th January announced its first ever scheduled European flights as Ryanair is set to commence a twice-weekly service direct to Alicante International Airport in Southern Spain from 5th June 2009 until the end of October. The introduction of Alicante now brings to 11 the number of scheduled destinations available at Ireland West Knock and complements its additional network of 13 European holiday destinations. This latest expansion at Ireland West Knock will generate an estimated 12,000 additional annual passengers at the Airport this summer.

Commenting on the new route Lesley Kane, Head of Sales & Marketing, Ryanair said:“Ireland West Airport Knock today celebrates the announcement of Alicante as a new destination.  The route will go on sale today and will begin from 5th June. With a total of six low fare routes from Ireland Knock this summer, passengers can beat the recession by flying at Ryanair’s guaranteed lowest fares and no fuel surcharges to Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool, Stansted, Luton and now Alicante.  Ryanair’s passengers will sustain 400 local jobs and provide more than €47 million in tourism revenue for the west of Ireland and its surrounding regions next year. To celebrate this new route at Ireland West Airport Knock, Ryanair is offering 1million €1 seats for travel in February and March.  These seats will be snapped up fast and are available for booking on www.ryanair.combefore midnight Monday.”

Welcoming today’s announcement, Annette Kearney, Marketing and Route Development Manager, Ireland West Airport Knock said: “The addition of this direct service to Alicante International Airport with Ryanair is a milestone in the Airport’s development as we expand our schedule flight services to now include a popular European destination for the first time. We know that this will come as welcome news to the many holidaymakers from the region that choose to self package and will complement our existing range of charter holiday destinations which have proven to be so popular.  In addition we are sure direct low fares access to Alicante will come as welcome news to the many people from the West and North West of Ireland with holiday homes in this south east region of Spain.”

Alicante International Airport is the sixth busiest airport in Spain and in 2007 it handled 9.1 million passengers. Ryanair established a base at the airport in 2007. This European destination is well known to Irish holidaymakers with its extensive coastline and beaches. Its bustling and vibrant harbour makes it a favourite holiday hot spot not only as an ideal sun holiday but also a fantastic city break. The city of Alicante has fashionable shops, first class hotels and a modern marina. As the provincial capital of Valencia, Alicante also offers excellent architecture, arts, crafts and cuisine.

Flights from Ireland West Airport Knock to Alicante International Airport will depart on Mondays and Fridays at 12.25 and will return into Ireland West Airport on the same days at 11.55.  For further airport information log onto www.irelandwestairport.com; for information on lowest fares and to book flights log onto www.ryanair.comor contact your local travel agent.



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