AN UPGRADED navigational landing system has all but eliminated diversions due to low cloud and fog at Ireland West Airport Knock, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey was told at the opening of a new terminal building there yesterday.
In wintertime, up to 10 flights a month were being rerouted from the Co Mayo airport, mostly to Shannon, because of poor visibility, airport chairman Liam Scollan said yesterday.
However since the new CAT II instrument landing system was switched on last February, there had been only one diversion.
The airport chairman was speaking at the opening of a new €5.5 million terminal building by Mr Dempsey.
Mr Scollan said the new system had been a huge boost to the airport’s daily operations in terms of reliability.
Airport managing director Joe Gilmore said it was no secret that some inbound flights had on occasions been diverted to other 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.”
The new navigational aids, Mr Gilmore added, would greatly aid the airport in its plan to add new services to the UK and Europe.
Last year was the busiest year in the history of the airport with passenger numbers increasing by 13 per cent to 629,000.
The 1,654sq m extension and the renovation to 960sq m of the existing terminal building will provide more circulation space for passengers with a new security screening area, extended check-in facilities, increased departure lounge space as well as new retail, catering and other facilities.
The new terminal, which can handle 1.5 million passengers, has been named the Kennedy Terminal in honour of Joe Kennedy, the president of the airport’s board of directors and a former chairman for more than seven years.
Mr Dempsey said that under the Transport 21 umbrella, the Government had approved in February 2007 an €86 million programme of grant aid for specific projects at the six regional airports up to the end of 2010.
He added: “Unfortunately, because of the current difficulties with the public finances, there has had to be a deferral of the full implementation of the programme.
“Meanwhile, my department are working with the regional airports on the funding of committed investment under the original programme and this will continue into 2010.”