Todays launch of 3 new routes to Glasgow, Eindoven and Kaunas from Ireland West Airport Knock represents yet another significant milestone for the airport and western region as it provides the first ever scheduled direct air access to the Dutch and Lithuanian market. It also opens up access to the Benelux region of Europe, which has a population of over 28m people with the new Eindhoven service providing convenient access to the likes of Belgium and Luxembourg also.
The New services are expected to bring a major tourist boost to the West and North West of Ireland including Co. Roscommon with over 15,000 new tourists expected to come to the region. The likes of the Western Greenway and the many cycling, walking and climbing routes in the West and North West are expected to be hugely popular with the Dutch tourists in particular who are renowned for their interest in the outdoors and coastal landscapes. In a further welcome initiative, passengers on our new Glasgow service can avail of free rail travel from Glasgow Prestwick to any destination in Scotland up until November 2014.
Welcoming todays announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring TD said ‘I’m delighted to welcome the launch, by Ryanair today, of three new services from Eindhoven, Kaunas and Glasgow to Ireland West Airport Knock. I will work with the team in Tourism Ireland in the various overseas markets to ensure we do all we can to promote these new services overseas and in particular to highlight the airport as the premier international Western gateway for the Wild Atlantic Way, which has massive potential to bring more visitors and more jobs to rural communities right along the western seaboard’
Commenting on todays announcement, Maria Macken, Marketing Manager, Ryanair said “Ryanair is delighted to launch our 2014 summer schedule from Ireland West Airport Knock with 16 routes including three new services to Eindhoven, Kaunas & Glasgow as well as additional evening services to London Luton and Stansted. This is the first summer where Ryanair customers can enjoy a free small second carry on bag, ‘quiet flights’, allocated seating and With a new website, smart phone app and business products also launching in the coming months makes Ryanair the ideal choice for families and friends looking to get away this summer’
Joe Gilmore, Managing Director Ireland West Airport Knock added “We are delighted to launch these new services with Ryanair which will provide a major boost for tourism in this region and for the first time connect the airport with key markets in the Benelux region, emerging Baltic States and Easter European markets. As the main international Western gateway for the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ we hope tourism providers in the region benefit significantly from these new services. Id also like to thank the Tourism Ireland teams in the various overseas markets both in the UK and Europe for their continued support and welcome the recent commencement of a major overseas marketing campaign in the Dutch market to promote the West of Ireland and the new Eindhoven service in particular’
Electric Bike Trails who will launch in Lough Key Forest Park this Easter provided the electric bikes in the photograph for today’s launch
