Ireland West Airport Knock announced growth figures for the first four months of 2008 on Monday, 26th May 2008. In the period January to April 2008 the numbers using the airport increased by 25.1% to over 177,000 passengers, which reflects the increasing preference from passengers to fly direct to the West and North West regions. The Easter break was the busiest on record with 30,000 passengers travelling through Ireland West Airport Knock. Last January the Airport management predicted that 2008 would be a record-breaking year having set ambitious targets to grow annual passenger numbers to 700,000.

New routes to Bristol with Ryanair, London Gatwick with XL.com and Glasgow International with bmi baby have been added in recent months and have been a significant factor in this growth. In 2008 UK passenger numbers are expected to surpass over half a million and UK tourism spend is projected to generate over €79m for the regional economy of the West and North West.

Commenting on the positive start to 2008, Robert Grealis, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock said: " Ireland West Knock continues to grow by offering consumers a choice of airline brands and a choice of sun, ski and short break destinations on scheduled and charter flights. We want to ensure we continue to provide a convenient and congestion-free environment and work will shortly commence on a major expansion to the terminal building to enhance and expand the facilities and services we offer to ensure we remain the number one international airport of choice serving the West and North West of Ireland."

Ireland West Airport Knock will welcome another new airline brand to its Airport following the announcement that airline City Jet is to provide the daily return scheduled air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) regional air route to Dublin. The contract has been awarded to City Jet following an EU Public Tendering process and the new contract is for a three-year period commencing on 22 July 2008.