Knock Airport has experienced growth of 25% while the scheduled growth for the airport is 60%. That is a massive growth rate to 400,000 passengers a year. This compares to a growth rate of 250,000 passengers last year. This makes Knock one of the fastest growing airports in Europe. One can imagine the impact this growth is having on the BMW region and we need this to continue. It is obvious that Knock has the confidence and support of all the people of the west and beyond. When the airport was being built, all the people of the west chipped in and became part of the vision of Monsignor Horan to develop Knock Airport as a truly international airport. It is a pivotal part of the infrastructure of the BMW area.
The same confidence should be displayed by the Government. I am aware that the Government has supported Knock Airport and the Minister for Transport and other Ministers have been to Knock. That is appreciated by the people of the west, but the support must continue. The Government should provide €30 million that Knock currently needs. This should be a top priority as it is such an important catalyst for development.
The phenomenal growth at Knock Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in Europe, is outpacing resources and a bigger plane is required. A new Glasgow route has been introduced. As the service to Manchester is provided by a 50-seater BS city express plane, which cannot cope with the demand, it is being replaced by a 148-seater 737 jet. If the Government does not provide the necessary support, this phenomenal growth will end and stunt the growth of not just Knock Airport but the whole BMW area.
Knock has never been regarded as an international airport by the Government nor has it been given the support such an airport deserves. When one considers that Knock International Airport provides a service to the greater BMW area, it cannot be denied support by Government. If the Government provided the necessary support to the airport, the future of the BMW area would be much more secure. Knock International Airport is being treated as a regional airport, not as an international airport. This is unfair when one considers that the runway at Knock is 2,300 metres. It is the third largest runway in Ireland, ahead of Cork Airport. Only Shannon and Dublin airports have longer runways. Cork Airport received more in one year than Knock Airport has received to date for its development.
Passenger growth at Knock International Airport is comparable to any airport in Europe and it is comparable to Cork and Shannon. It is a truly international airport, catering for international passenger numbers. However, Government support does not reflect this international qualification. Government support must match the massive growth and enormous potential of Knock Airport. When one considers the support given to Cork and Shannon airports, courtesy of Aer Rianta, Knock must deserve some level of equal investment. One might ask for what will the money be used. It could be used for the development of aircraft landing equipment, aircraft handling equipment and aircraft safety equipment. It could be used to develop the airport terminal building and for the development of commercial facilities at the airport.
If Aer Rianta gave this support to Knock, there would be great hope for the airport. The arrivals area needs a larger building. The entire terminal building needs to be developed. Commercial facilities are necessary to make more use of the existing resources. Knock International Airport represents a huge opportunity to achieve greater regional balance, particularly for the north west and the west of Ireland. The airport is the single largest project which can deliver for the BMW region. That is evident. It needs continued help from Government to ensure this happens. It requires an injection of €30 million.
I listened to my colleagues today speak about Shannon Airport and the open skies policy. Open skies should not be just about Shannon Airport; it should be extended to Knock, Cork, Dublin, Derry or wherever. The debate should go beyond Shannon. I welcome the open skies development. The sooner this is in place the better. I wish Shannon well. It has done very well for that region.