West of Ireland Airport in July 2022. Wikimedia Commons/Djm-leighpark
Ireland West Airport, located in Knock, County Mayo, reported its busiest year on record in 2023, with passenger numbers increasing by 13% compared to 2022.
A total of 818,000 people will use the airport in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 807,000 people set in 2019.
The UK is by far the most popular destination for passengers using the airport, with 665,000 passengers flying to and from the UK last year.
Last year, passenger numbers increased with the launch of a new daily service operated by Aer Lingus between the West of Ireland and London Heathrow.
Passenger numbers to and from the mainland and continental Europe also reached a record high last year, with 148,000 passengers flying to and from destinations in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany, an increase of 7% from 2022.
August is the busiest month of the year, with 102,000 passengers passing through the airport during the final month of the summer holidays. August 29 was Ireland West Airport’s busiest day of the year, with over 4,500 passengers using the airport.
Meanwhile, Irish airline Ryanair was by far the most popular airline at the airport in 2023, with more than 730,000 passengers, an increase of 3% compared to 2022.
Ireland West Airport is served by three of Europe’s major international airlines: Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Lauda Europa, currently flying to 21 different destinations on the continent.
More than 6,000 flights arrived at the airport in 2023, but only 10 were affected by bad weather, the lowest number ever for a calendar year.
Ireland West Airport chairman Arthur French said 2023 is a milestone year for the airport, noting that US President Joe Biden landed at the airport on April 14 during his historic visit to Ireland. Stated.
Mr French said in a statement: “We are launching new services to Lanzarote and Tenerife with Ryanair, and new daily services to London Heathrow, one of Europe’s major international airport hubs, with Aer Lingus. This is the first time we have launched the service.”
“We would like to thank our customers, airline and tour operator partners, stakeholders, tourism organizations and local government partners for their continued support as we continue to grow passenger numbers and develop the region’s international connectivity. I would like to express this.
“I would also like to extend a special thank you to our airport staff who continue to work hard to ensure our customers and passengers have a safe and welcoming airport experience.”