DESPITE the economic downturn, Ireland West Airport Knock has just begun work on a €3m project that will significantly reduce diversions caused by bad weather at the airport.
The contract for work on the instrument landing system and improvements to the runway has been awarded to Michael McNamara & Co after a tendering process.
The work will see the construction of two major infrastructural projects.
Other developments will also begin at the airport this month. Electrical and equipment installation works are due to commence at the end of this month and are expected to be completed and commissioned in February 2009. Meanwhile, works on the runway are due to be completed by the end of this year.
The new landing system will greatly reduce diversions caused by poor weather and visibility as it will enhance the precision of approaches.
Tomás Grimes, the airport’s property manager, said: “The project will involve a major upgrade to the runway at Ireland West Airport Knock by extending the existing runway and safety area and increasing the aircraft turning circle for Runway 27.
“The CAT II ILS implementation will be a major boost to the airport’s daily operations as the reliability of services in and out of Ireland West Airport Knock will be greatly improved during the winter months where in the past, flights have been diverted to other Irish airports due to problems with visibility.
“With the upgrade of the instrument landing system there will be better equipment in place to aid aircraft in poor visibility weather conditions meaning flights will be able to land in Ireland West Airport Knock in conditions they were unable to before.”
Robert Grealis, airport chief executive, said: “It is no secret that some inbound flights have on occasion been diverted to other Irish international airports because of poor visibility, however with this new and improved system in place this will be significantly reduced. This is very good news for the airport but especially for passengers who are inconvenienced by diversions, and it will also encourage other airlines to operate from the airport with such an advanced system in place.”
The current developments being undertaken at the airport are part of Ireland West Airport Knock’s Vision 2020; a •46m capital investment programme, marking the single largest investment ever in the airport’s history.
In another development, Robert Grealis has slammed the introduction of air travel tax brought in by last week’s budget.
Mr Grealis said: “At a time when we must re-stimulate our economy, create employment and restore consumer confidence, the airport views this tax as an inequitable and a retrograde step which will have serious consequences for the tourism industry, business and for the travel industry.
“In addition, the tax further marginalises regions and runs contrary to the Government’s stated policy on balanced regional development. As an island nation on the very periphery of Europe we rely on air access to support tourism and further develop our knowledge-based economy.
“Air access is a critical component of our current and future economic sustainability and development which requires support and investment not additional taxation. This proposed air tax will only serve to place the country, especially its regions, at a significant disadvantage when competing in the global marketplace for business and tourism.
“The introduction of this proposed tax, at a time when the entire travel industry is already under intense pressure, will have severe consequences for the industry and the economy as a whole, but particularly in the regions.”
An air travel tax applying to all departures from Irish airports will come into force on Monday, March 30, 2009. The general rate applying will be •10 per passenger with a lower rate of •2 for shorter air journeys (those under 300kms). The only journey in which the •2 rate will apply at Knock will be the journey from Ireland West to Dublin.
Mr Grealis continued: “Ireland West Airport has endeavoured against massive odds to stimulate the economic and tourism wellbeing of the West and North West of Ireland through its investment in new route and air access development and marketing. This air travel tax will place the West and North West regions at a further disadvantage given the inequitable application of the tax across Irish airports.
“Given that the UK is our single largest tourism and travel market, a tax that increases the costs of travel and doing business with this market will be especially detrimental to our economy.
“We are also disappointed that the Government did not consult with the industry in its decision making process. We understand that the country faces difficult challenges and Government must make difficult decisions but this new tax targets only one transport segment and places the regions and their airports, whose economies are so dependent on tourism and business travel, at a significant disadvantage.”
Fine Gael Deputy John O’Mahony echoed those sentiments. He added: “This air travel tax is a blatant attempt to pick the pockets of tourists and business travellers leaving the West of Ireland. It is a typical Fianna Fáil stealth tax, which is a disincentive to a key revenue generating industry and it will have a devastating effect on the West.
“Everybody was expecting pain in the Budget but this measure is being implemented as a blunt instrument in an unfair and inequitable fashion which is not acceptable.”
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