Twenty years ago on the 25th October 1985, three Aer Lingus Boeing aircraft flew to Rome for a special Knock Shrine Golden Jubilee pilgrimage. On that day Monsignor James Horan said: "A tear was not far from my eye when I saw the first plane come in. It was very moving but I hope it is the first of many flights into the airport."

Kachia-kia Corry (aged 2) sneaks out of a luggage case checked by ground hostess Petal Pilley. Photo Keith Heneghan/Phocus.

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the first commercial flights taking off from Knock International Airport today, October 25th, and a milestone of half a million annual passengers about to be reached, the airport’s management has presented its vision for the future growth of the airport to the year 2020 as well as its new name and brand, ‘Ireland West Airport Knock’.

At a special event held at the airport called ‘Vision 2020’, the airport’s managing director, Liam Scollan, outlined the strategy which the airport is to employ up to the year 2020 as it positions itself as the airport of choice for people in the West and Northwest of Ireland. The key projection for the newly re-branded ‘Ireland West Airport Knock’ is that, in 2020, it will connect 2 million passengers annually to and from the region, half of whom will be in-bound tourists from the UK, Europe and North America. It aims to have over 50 route destinations in place including connections to all the main regions in the UK and Europe, as well as a range of weekly North American destinations. This will include long haul sun, winter and ski holiday charters as well as year round in-bound pilgrimages from the UK, Europe and the USA.

Speaking at the event, Liam Scollan said: "By working together to deliver more routes and services, we can achieve these ambitious growth targets and build Ireland West Airport Knock as our region’s gateway to the world. By the end of this month, we will have exceeded this year’s target of half a million annual passengers. This is no small task for a private airport with remarkable beginnings which is held in trust for the people of the West of Ireland. It is a testament indeed to the marvellous foresight and determination of Monsignor James Horan and his committee as well as the tremendous support we have received from our customers and our staff down through the years. Looking forward, we will continue to be a key driver of our region’s economic development by adopting a balanced mix of aviation and commercial businesses. The cumulative impacts of our airport are that, by the year 2020, we will have served over 20 million passengers, sustained 2,000 jobs and contributed 25 million bed nights and €2 billion in tourism spend to the region. In order to achieve this we need the continued support of our key stakeholders who include both national and regional government, the tourism agencies, business and industry as well as the development bodies."

Key to achieving this vision, the airport is repositioning its business to reflect the needs of its core customers which are the general public and businesses in the West and North West region and tourists from abroad. It is setting out to build its image as a dynamic, modern and progressive airport located in the heart of the West of Ireland. It is for these reasons that the airport is now re-named ‘Ireland West Airport Knock’. Director of Development, Kevin Heery, states: "Re-naming and re-branding the airport is the first step towards achieving our long term business goals. Our research has shown us that we are consistently the leading airport associated with the West of Ireland and we hope our new name and logo tells our target markets what we are, where we’re located and where we grew from. In deciding the name, we have built on the high recognition and strong affiliations there are with ‘Knock Airport’ whilst repositioning our business as main access hub of the West of Ireland. Our name and image say that we are proud of our past and confident in our future."

Commenting on the new announcements, the airport’s Chairman, Joe Kennedy, said that, since his appointment in 2002, he has witnessed tremendous improvements in the range of flights and the infrastructure of the airport which is due in a very large measure to the management and staff at the airport. "I am absolutely convinced," he said, "that our airport, now re-branded Ireland West Airport Knock, will grow dramatically in the coming years as it fills its role both as a beacon of economic growth in the West and North West of Ireland and as a key point of entry for visitors and tourists to this beautiful region. It will continue to thrive as it takes its place in Irish aviation as a vibrant, customer friendly and highly efficient airport."

At the event, Liam Scollan thanked and played tribute to all those who have supported the airport since its birth twenty years ago. These include its customers, stakeholders, the airlines and service providers feeding into the airport, the travel industry, the media and the airport’s staff - a good number of whom have served the airport since the beginning. He said that ‘Vision 2020’ is the first of a year long series of events which will commence next year to celebrate the airport’s 20 years of operation. A special gala celebratory event will be organised next year to coincide with the official opening of the airport on 30th May 1986. In conclusion, Liam Scollan stated: "Ireland West Airport Knock will continue to connect with our people, connect people with places and promote our vibrant way of life."

Shannagh (7) and Kachia-kia Corry (2) wait with ground hostess Petal Pilley (right) while Liam Scollan, Managing Director of the newly re-branded Ireland West Airport Knock, helps passenger Tara Brannock with her luggage at the 20th anniversary of the first flights from the airport on 24th October 2005. The two girls are daughters of Jim Corry, Technical Services Manager with Ireland West Airport Knock. Jim has been employed at the airport since it first opened twenty years ago. Photo Keith Heneghan/Phocus.