1 How has Ireland West airport recovered since the start of the COVID pandemic?
In 2020 and 2021, Ireland West Airport recorded unprecedented financial losses as a result of the pandemic and an 83% collapse in passenger numbers, with annual passenger numbers declining to as low as 143,000.
Thankfully, following the relaxation of the travel restrictions, business rebounded strongly and in 2022, 722,000 passengers used the airport, which was 89% of our busiest ever year in 2019. This year is forecast to be the busiest ever year, with 850,000+ expected to use the airport.
2 What do you feel is the greatest attraction of flying from Ireland West airport?
The airport prides itself on the fact that it was an airport built by the people for the people. That – combined with the convenience and stress-free experience – resonates with our customer base
3 What is the biggest challenge currently facing Ireland West airport?
The short- to medium-term future is to maintain existing services with our airline partners given the current catastrophic losses signalled by our airline partners as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic impact and rebuilding our route network.
We are hopeful that 2023 will be the first year of growth since 2019, but we are conscious that there are concerns with the recent ongoing troubles in the Ukraine coupled with rising oil and fuel prices and general increases in the cost of living. These measures have the potential to impact demand for travel.
However, we remain confident that we have a strong portfolio of airlines and a strong and sustainable route network and customer base that will see us well positioned to grow the business further in the coming years.
4 What more could the Government do to support regional airports?
We are very grateful to the Government for the help they put in place through the COVID-19 pandemic, through the various support schemes for aviation. Without this support, we would have been in a very critical and vulnerable position. The airport has recently welcomed visits by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, where very positive discussions were had around the future development of the airport.
5 What sustainability measures have been taken at Ireland West airport?
Ireland West Airport is currently part of the Airport Council’s International (ACI) carbon accreditation programme, which sets out a framework for airports to reduce and manage their carbon footprint. The airport is currently progressing a sustainability and environmental strategy over the next five-year period and working towards completing the ACI carbon accreditation programme to create an environmental green airport programme, reducing overall carbon emissions to achieve “net zero” by 2050 at the latest.
In October 2022, Ireland West Airport achieved Level 1 Accreditation, ‘Mapping’, in recognition of the airport’s actions to address its CO2 emissions (there are six levels in total). Recent projects completed include an upgrade of the airport ground services fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles.
6 How many destinations are available this summer?
This summer, the airport will have flights to 20 international destinations across the UK and Europe. In a major development, Aer Lingus will operate a new daily service to London Heathrow, which started on 26 March. This is the first time in the airport’s 37-year history that it will have access to one of Europe’s major international airport hubs.
It also provides onward connectivity to major international markets across North America and to multiple destinations in Asia, Africa and Australia with codeshare partners.
For summer 2023, Ryanair will operate its biggest ever schedule from the airport with 16 routes, including a new weekly service to Lanzarote. In addition, Ryanair has increased frequencies on five UK routes, adding an extra 40,000+ seats on services to Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool, and Manchester.
7 What is your favourite summer holiday destination from Ireland West airport?
Majorca in Spain (weekly with Ryanair) is a superb destination for families. Alcudia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, while Puerto Pollensa and Cala Bona are particular highlights due to the mix of restaurants and bars.
8 What is your favourite city break destination from Ireland West airport?
Cologne: a really chilled out city break and only a short two-hour flight (twice-weekly with Ryanair). Many people might be familiar with Cologne Cathedral, but the city also offers many other attractive highlights. The Cologne Opera and chocolate museum are two personal highlights, as is the connectivity available from Cologne, with the likes of Brussels just a 90-minute high-speed train ride away – it really is a gateway to explore Europe.
9 What is the one thing you can’t travel/fly without?
A book and a good podcast.
10 Can you share a fun fact about Ireland West airport?
The Pope on his visit here in 2018 famously signed a Mayo Jersey for the airport. We were hoping this would lift the curse. Unfortunately, we are still waiting; but this could be the year!
Visit www.irelandwestairport.com/
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1 How has Ireland West airport recovered since the start of the COVID pandemic?
In 2020 and 2021, Ireland West Airport recorded unprecedented financial losses as a result of the pandemic and an 83% collapse in passenger numbers, with annual passenger numbers declining to as low as 143,000.
Thankfully, following the relaxation of the travel restrictions, business rebounded strongly and in 2022, 722,000 passengers used the airport, which was 89% of our busiest ever year in 2019. This year is forecast to be the busiest ever year, with 850,000+ expected to use the airport.
2 What do you feel is the greatest attraction of flying from Ireland West airport?
The airport prides itself on the fact that it was an airport built by the people for the people. That – combined with the convenience and stress-free experience – resonates with our customer base
3 What is the biggest challenge currently facing Ireland West airport?
The short- to medium-term future is to maintain existing services with our airline partners given the current catastrophic losses signalled by our airline partners as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic impact and rebuilding our route network.
We are hopeful that 2023 will be the first year of growth since 2019, but we are conscious that there are concerns with the recent ongoing troubles in the Ukraine coupled with rising oil and fuel prices and general increases in the cost of living. These measures have the potential to impact demand for travel.
However, we remain confident that we have a strong portfolio of airlines and a strong and sustainable route network and customer base that will see us well positioned to grow the business further in the coming years.
4 What more could the Government do to support regional airports?
We are very grateful to the Government for the help they put in place through the COVID-19 pandemic, through the various support schemes for aviation. Without this support, we would have been in a very critical and vulnerable position. The airport has recently welcomed visits by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, where very positive discussions were had around the future development of the airport.
5 What sustainability measures have been taken at Ireland West airport?
Ireland West Airport is currently part of the Airport Council’s International (ACI) carbon accreditation programme, which sets out a framework for airports to reduce and manage their carbon footprint. The airport is currently progressing a sustainability and environmental strategy over the next five-year period and working towards completing the ACI carbon accreditation programme to create an environmental green airport programme, reducing overall carbon emissions to achieve “net zero” by 2050 at the latest.
In October 2022, Ireland West Airport achieved Level 1 Accreditation, ‘Mapping’, in recognition of the airport’s actions to address its CO2 emissions (there are six levels in total). Recent projects completed include an upgrade of the airport ground services fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles.
6 How many destinations are available this summer?
This summer, the airport will have flights to 20 international destinations across the UK and Europe. In a major development, Aer Lingus will operate a new daily service to London Heathrow, which started on 26 March. This is the first time in the airport’s 37-year history that it will have access to one of Europe’s major international airport hubs.
It also provides onward connectivity to major international markets across North America and to multiple destinations in Asia, Africa and Australia with codeshare partners.
For summer 2023, Ryanair will operate its biggest ever schedule from the airport with 16 routes, including a new weekly service to Lanzarote. In addition, Ryanair has increased frequencies on five UK routes, adding an extra 40,000+ seats on services to Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool, and Manchester.
7 What is your favourite summer holiday destination from Ireland West airport?
Majorca in Spain (weekly with Ryanair) is a superb destination for families. Alcudia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, while Puerto Pollensa and Cala Bona are particular highlights due to the mix of restaurants and bars.
8 What is your favourite city break destination from Ireland West airport?
Cologne: a really chilled out city break and only a short two-hour flight (twice-weekly with Ryanair). Many people might be familiar with Cologne Cathedral, but the city also offers many other attractive highlights. The Cologne Opera and chocolate museum are two personal highlights, as is the connectivity available from Cologne, with the likes of Brussels just a 90-minute high-speed train ride away – it really is a gateway to explore Europe.
9 What is the one thing you can’t travel/fly without?
A book and a good podcast.
10 Can you share a fun fact about Ireland West airport?
The Pope on his visit here in 2018 famously signed a Mayo Jersey for the airport. We were hoping this would lift the curse. Unfortunately, we are still waiting; but this could be the year!
Visit www.irelandwestairport.com/
Read more
From farm to flight, meet CEO of Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine
Wheelchair users ‘want equal access, not special treatment’
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