The introduction of the new routes addresses the strong market demand for transatlantic flights to, and from, Ireland West Airport Knock and will realise enormous benefits to the business and tourism sectors as well as to the general public in the west, north west and midlands region.  The transatlantic flights have the potential to bring up to 35,000 US tourists and an estimated €28 million spending boost to the region in 2007 and this is expected to grow to over 56,000 US tourists with an estimated spend of up to €45 million by 2008.    

 

Speaking at the announcement event held at the Airport today, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. É amon Ó Cuív T.D. , said:   “ 21 years ago, many people laughed at the idea of building an international airport in rural West of Ireland because it went against the accepted theory of providing services first in urban areas with higher populations.   However, Ireland West Airport Knock is a classic illustration of an alternative theory I have promoted for years; that if we provide services in rural areas, they become more attractive to live in, population levels rise, demand for the services grow, and the pressures on our urban centres stabilise.”  

 

The Minister continued:   “ I firmly believe that Government investment in enterprises such as this is leading the way and that our society is beginning to realise that we can provide much more efficient and cost-effective infrastructure, services and employment in our rural areas. Ireland West Airport Knock, which has gone from strength to strength over the last 21 years, is a shining example of the resourcefulness, foresight and business acumen of our rurally based population.   With today's announcement of their new transatlantic service, the Board and management of Ireland West Airport Knock are to be commended for providing another essential service for all the people of the West of Ireland."  

 

Commenting on the proposed new services, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD said: “ The Government’s air services strategy promotes competitiveness, flexibility, consumer choice and diversity of product to satisfy different consumer needs.  I am very pleased that Flyglobespan will be bringing new competition into the market place and introducing choice for the Irish passenger. It is a positive development that residents in the west of Ireland will be able to fly to New York and Boston from County Mayo . This presents a great opportunity to grow tourism and exploit business opportunities for the benefit of the BMW region.”  

 

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Ireland West Airport Knock, Joe Kennedy, said:   “This announcement marks a significant milestone in the State’s 49 Year Transatlantic, and the Airport’s 21 Year, aviation history and is a huge boost for the West, North West and Midlands region . I want to thank members of our Board, the Airport’s management and marketing team and the scores of people on both sides of the Atlantic who have worked tirelessly together and overcome many challenges to achieve this historic development. I also thank our Government, Minister Ó Cuív, and Minister Cullen and his department for lending their support to enable our Airport and flyglobespan to operate these services.”    

 

Chairman of flyglobespan, Mr. Tom Dalrymple stated: “ I am delighted we can launch these services from Ireland West Airport Knock and give the local population the chance to visit two of the world’s most exciting cities at such fantastic prices. The hereditary and cultural ties between the north east cost of America and the West of Ireland are very strong and we expect there to be a similarly big demand for seats out from the States and into Ireland West Knock.   These new routes are part of daily services we are introducing between Liverpool and JFK and Glasgow and Boston . They have been attracting considerable interest from both sides of the Atlantic since they went on sale and we expect a similarly favourable response from these additional services. ”  

 

Managing Director of Ireland West Airport, Liam Scollan said:   “I’m delighted to welcome flyglobespan to our Airport and I commend especially its Chairman, Tom Dalrymple , for having the courage and entrepreneurship to break new ground and operate these services out of our region in what is a very competitive global marketplace. Our staff looks forward to working closely with the flyglobespan team, business interests and tourism partners to ensure the success of these new services.   These transatlantic services will connect neighbours, friends and relatives that have long been separated by a century of emigration from this region to the United States . They will put the west and north west of Ireland into the heart of the tourist trail for Americans who love Ireland and especially the West, while bringing the highly popular Big Apple and Boston cities within easy low fares reach for the people of the West of Ireland who fancy a visit.   The introduction of this service will also improve job prospects in Ireland by strengthening the connection between the many US multinationals and businesses in the region with the huge American marketplace.  

 

On the Irish side, there is a long roll of honour of people who in many ways made this happen. This was a collaborative effort from our airport staff, diplomatic circles, from tourism and transport interests and the Government and all those who could see the importance of the US link to Ireland West Airport .   Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland , at both regional and national level, were instrumental in their support. Singled out for mention is Ray McSharry, former Government Minister and European Commissioner who worked closely with the Airport in the final stages of the project. ”  

 

In his speech, Joe Kennedy paid a special tribute to the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg. “We met Mayor Bloomberg on his visit to Ireland on 22^nd August 2006 , when he was invited to Ireland by John Perry TD who arranged the introduction and whose support we are most grateful for. We info rmed the Mayor of our aspirations to start services to the United States . He agreed to help. By December 2006, he had delivered on his promise in dramatic fashion when flyglobespan won approval from the US Authorities for flights to operate via Ireland West Knock to the US . He was ably supported in his endeavour by Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs Kevin Sheekey and Adrian Flannelly, Irish Liaison for the Mayor, a highly respected and influential Irish American in New York who helped convey the strengths of Ireland West Airport Knock and the importance of direct services into the west of Ireland to the Mayor.”  

 

In a supporting statement, Mayor of New York City , Michael Bloomberg said: “For centuries, New York City and Ireland have shared a strong bond, and we have had the good fortune to be the island’s 33rd County. Starting this May, we will grow even closer with the start of three weekly flights between Ireland West Airport Knock and the international airport in New York City named for John F. Kennedy, whose great grandparents left Ireland during the Great Hunger. Not only will these flights make it easier for Americans to get to the west of Ireland , it will enable even more Irish residents to visit New York . Thanks to the hard work of scores of people on both sides of the Atlantic, including Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs Kevin Sheekey, as well as my good friend Adrian Flannelly, we were able to secure these important routes – and I look forward to landing on the runway myself next week.”  

 

Congratulating Ireland West Airport Knock and everyone concerned in securing the flights, Paul O’Toole, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland said that the new services were a huge vote of confidence in the region. “ They will substantially expand air travel options for potential tourists and open up Ireland ’s Western Regions even more as a holiday destination to the lucrative North American market. Tourism Ireland will work closely with flyglobespan, Ireland West Airport Knock and the industry both in Ireland and in the United States , to promote and maximise the inbound tourism potential presented by these new transatlantic routes .”  

 

Welcoming the new route, Gillian Buckley, Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission said: " This is a significant milestone for Ireland West Airport Knock and for the development of the Western Region, both economically and socially.  The new flights will enable the West of Ireland to build even stronger links with the US , which is a very important source of employment for both industry and tourism in the region .”  

 

Monsignor Joseph Quinn from Knock Shrine , speaking at the event said: “ This realizes a key part of the original vision for the Airport which was to serve pilgrims worldwide. This announcement has huge potential to attract more pilgrims from the United States to Knock Shrine and to the many religious and Christian heritage sites throughout the west of Ireland.”  

 

Low cost fares and a quality tailor-made service!  

Flights to JFK will depart from Ireland West Knock on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 14:30 , while flights from JFK will arrive into Ireland West Knock at 07:20 hours on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays.    Flights to Boston will depart Ireland West Knock on Wednesdays and Sundays at 16:30 , while flights from Boston will arrive at 07:45 hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays.     

 

flyglobespan will operate two cabins on these routes. Economy seats will begin at €157 sector plus tax, while the business cabin will have fares starting from €357 per sector plus tax. A premium service upgrade is also available from €233 per sector plus tax. Business Class will feature full in-flight entertainment, dedicated priority check-in and the use of an airport executive lounge on departure from the USA .  

 

Detailing the new services, Ireland West Airport Knock’s Marketing Manager, Annette Kearney said “ flyglobespan are introducing a super new service to the general public and to businesses in our region. They offer low fares and a high quality service. Not only can our customers have the convenience of flying direct to New York and Boston from our Airport with our low cost parking of just €22 per week, but they can do so tailored to their own requirements and price range. They can enjoy gourmet meals served with fine wines which can be pre-selected when booking on http://www.flyglobespan.com/ or at their local travel agent, prior to departure.   Premier economy passengers can enjoy complimentary meals and in-flight entertainment while economy passengers can pre-book and pay for their in flight entertainment and meals. Jointly, we aim to deliver what our US market and our region demands and we are optimistic that we will continue to have the support of our customers, tourism industry and business partners in ensuring this will be a successful venture for all long into the future. ”  

 

For further info rmation on flights to and from Ireland West Airport Knock, please log on to http://www.irelandwestairport.com/ or contact flyglobespan at + (0)1 874 7666 or website http://www.flyglobespan.com/ or ask your local travel agent.         

About Ireland West Airport Knock  

Ireland West Airport Knock opened its doors for business on May 30^th 1986 . Continuing its double digit growth each year since 2002, Ireland West Airport Knock has grown annual passenger numbers by a further 17% to an estimated 621,000 in 2006 - up from 530,000 in 2005. The growth stems from a 16% increase in passengers on its UK scheduled routes as well as a 27% growth in European holiday charter routes which now number 70,000 passengers annually. August 2006 was the busiest month ever in the history of the Airport with over 82,000 passengers having passed through its doors.  

  The Airport currently has five scheduled flights to the UK with low cost airlines bmibaby ( Birmingham & Manchester ) and Ryanair (London Luton, London Stansted & Nottingham East Midlands starting 27^th February 2007 ) as well as a daily scheduled flight to Dublin with Aer Arann. The Airport also offers a wide range of European charter flights by Ireland ’s top tour operators. This number of charter holiday passengers is expected to increase to 90,000 passengers in 2007.  

  The US transatlantic services have the potential to bring an additional 50,000 passengers to the Airport in 2007.  

First Transatlantic Charter Flight  

On July 29^th 1986 the first transatlantic charter flies into our Airport from New York with 254 on board a Super 73 DC-8 jet.  

About flyglobespan  

Although a comparatively new name to Ireland , flyglobespan are one of the industry’s fastest growing airlines. These new Ireland West Knock services will mean that their website http://www.flyglobespan/. com will be offering flights from 16 British and Irish airports to 29 worldwide destinations stretching from Cape Town to Vancouver. These services will also be available through your local travel agent shops and tour operator.  

 

Since its launch in 2002, the airline had been concentrating mostly on short-haul flights to Europe ’s most popular resorts and cities.  

 

Last year, however, saw the launch of their first long-haul service with a daily flight between Glasgow and Orlando Sanford which has now been expanded to include a weekly Belfast–Sanford flight.  

 

This year sees another substantial expansion of their long-haul service with a variety of routes from UK and Irish airports to US and Canadian destinations.  

 

The new Ireland West Knock routes will be the latest additions to the programme.