A New Wee Arrival for Ireland West Airport Knock!

bmibaby commences its first Scottish route from Ireland with the new Ireland West Knock - Glasgow International Airport jet flight service!

Fares start from just €17.99 one way including taxes and charges!*

Pictured Left to Right: Tony and Michael McNamara, St Patrick’s Pipe Band (Dooagh, Achill), and Annette Kearney, Marketing and Route Development Manager Ireland West Airport Knock. Photographer: James Connolly

Today, Tuesday 12th February 2008, the award winning airline with tiny fares bmibaby, commenced its first route between Ireland and Scotland with its new Ireland West Knock - Glasgow International Airport scheduled flight service. The new route is a significant boost to flight access to Scotland as it is the only direct jet flight service to Glasgow International Airport in Scotland from Ireland’s Western region stretching from Kerry to Donegal. It is the first route to be operated outside of bmibaby’s hubs where its aircraft are based.  The three times a week service will complement bmibaby’s existing network of routes at Ireland West Knock which include daily services to Birmingham International Airport and Manchester Airport. The expansion of bmibaby at Ireland West Knock is expected to generate a potential increase of 45,000 passengers at the Airport. The new service will also have a positive impact on regional tourism with approximately 11,000 UK Tourists using the service to visit the region generating an additional €4 million in tourism spend next year.

Pictured Left to Right: Annette Kearney, Marketing and Route Development Manager Ireland West Airport Knock and Jo Hurley, Head of Marketing bmibaby with two of the first passengers to fly on the new route. Photographer: James Connolly

Robert Grealis, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock, commenting at the inaugural flight celebrations said: “We are delighted that there is now a direct, quick and convenient jet flight service to the heart of Glasgow direct from Ireland West Airport Knock. This service will connect Glasgow and its surrounding regions including the Western Highlands, the Clyde Valley and the South of Scoltand to the West and North West of Ireland; which share similar cultural and social heritage through the many Irish ex-patriots that emigrate to the Scottish Isles in the past. This comes as welcome news to all those visiting friends and family but will also have a positive impact on the region as a whole as we expect to welcome thousands of Scottish visitors on the new service as well as provide the opportunity to develop business links between the region and Scotland. We are also delighted with the opportunity to strengthen our existing relationship with bmibaby, who we have been working with since 2004 and who continuously deliver a quality, low cost service providing value to our customers on our Birmingham and Manchester routes.”

To mark the occasion Head of Marketing at bmibaby, Jo Hurley was present at Ireland West Airport Knock for the celebrations. Speaking at the event Ms. Hurley said: “We are delighted to launch our first Scottish flight today from Ireland West Airport Knock to Glasgow International Airport.  The three times a week service operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, is fantastic news for the region as it now offers a choice for people to travel directly to Glasgow from the West of Ireland. With fares starting from just €17.99 one way including taxes and charges, we are advising people to book their flights to Glasgow now.”

Glasgow International Airport is Scotland's principal long haul gateway with year round flights to Canada, the United States and the Gulf and with almost 9 million passengers using the airport every year. Glasgow International Airport is home to around 30 airlines flying to more than 80 destinations worldwide. Glasgow City is one of Europe’s most exciting and beautiful destinations, which combines the energy and sophistication of a great international city with some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.  Whether you’re a clubber, concert-goer, opera aficionado, or sight-seer, visiting Glasgow is always an eventful experience. No matter when you arrive you’ll find live performances, festivals and entertainment fifty-two weeks of the year.  Annual highlights include the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival (6 – 23 March) and this year, the city will welcome the hit musical ‘Mamma Mia!’ which stops off at the city’s SECC as part of its international tour (1 – 27 April).  Whether, it is playing the game or watching, Glasgow wears its passion for sport on its sleeve. Home to two of the biggest football clubs in Europe, Glasgow Celtic and Rangers, the city is also renowned for its top class sporting facilities.  And further building on its successful reputation, the city has been named as the host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.   

Flights depart from Ireland West Airport Knock to Glasgow International Airport at 15:45 on Tuesday and Thursday and at 17:40 on Sunday.  Flights arrive from Glasgow International Airport at 15:15 on Tuesday and Thursday and 20:40 on Sunday. With fares starting from just €17.99* one way including taxes and charges passengers can log onto www.bmibaby.com or contact your local travel agents to book now.

* Fares include taxes & charges but exclude Ireland West Airport Knock’s Development Fee payable by departing passengers aged 12 years and over.

Pictured Left to Right: Jo Hurley, Head of Marketing bmibaby, and Michael McNamara, St Patrick’s Pipe Band (Dooagh, Achill). Photographer: James Connolly