The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions are continuing to have a devastating impact on Ireland West Airport in Knock.
The CEO of Sligo Ciaran Hayes has expressed his concern this week in relation to the future viability of the facility at the October meeting of the local authority.
5,752 passengers travelled through Ireland West airport last month – that was down 92% on September of 2019 when more than 76,000 passengers used the airport.
Last month, passenger numbers to and from the United Kingdom fell by 90%, and European passenger traffic fell by 98%.
275 passengers travelled to and from Faro in Portugal which is now the Knock’s only active European
Ryanair has reduced its schedule of flights to and from the airport by 50% for September and October, in response to the current travel restrictions.
Overall, by the end of last month,136,000 passengers travelled through Knock Airport this year.
This time last year, that figure for the January to September period was 626,000.
And – private aviation Private aviation traffic at Ireland West Airport was down 68% in September, compared to the corresponding period last year.