4 Noll 2012, 09:59
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications will tomorrow receive a detailed briefing on the future Ireland West Airport Knock.
4 December 2012
Liam Scollan, Chairman at Ireland West Airport Knock, will discuss the strategic benefits, both locally and nationally, arising out of the expansion of Ireland West Airport Knock.
As the fourth largest airport in the country, Ireland West has grown significantly in recent years, and now caters for about 700,000 passengers per annum. It has successfully expanded its airline partners to now include Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Flybe, Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional.
Vice-Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “Next week’s meeting is a timely opportunity to meet with Mr Scollan to assess progress at Ireland West Airport, which is playing an ever more important strategic role in our national aviation and tourism infrastructure. In what is a challenging period for the industry, the airport has enjoyed significant growth through the recent years of recession, significantly expanding on the range of routes and carriers.
“However, the airport has been impacted by the loss of the Public Service Obligation service to Dublin and the closure of BMIBaby in recent years. It was reported last week that the airport, which recorded a loss in 2011, is targeting a break even situation for 2012. Our Committee looks forward to exploring the steps required to bolster the sustainability of the airport, which provides vital international connections for the west, northwest and midland regions.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 5 December at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Seán Kenny, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan