WATCH: Special guest arrives at Knock Airport to celebrate milestone anniversary
Ireland West Airport Knock.
Ryanair flew a celebration Boeing 737 into Ireland West Airport Knock today to mark 40 years of commercial flights since the airport first opened in 1986.
Over the last 40 years, Ryanair has carried over 12m passengers to/from Knock and this summer will operate 17 routes to/from Knock with 8 routes to/from the UK and 9 routes to/from Europe.
Arriving in Knock Airport today, wearing the Green and Red colours of Mayo, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said that having Ryanair in Knock Airport is far better than any Sam Maguire.
“Mayo may have been cursed on the football fields for the last 50 years, but thanks to Knock Airport and Ryanair, it continues to be the champion for low-fare air access and tourism growth in the West of Ireland."
"With over 1m passengers in 2026, and 17 routes to the UK & Europe, Ryanair and Knock Airport continue to work closely together to deliver low fare traffic and tourism growth for the West of Ireland.”
Welcoming Michael O’Leary to the airport Managing Director of Ireland West Airport, Joe Gilmore, said:
“We would like to welcome Michael to the airport to mark the 40th anniversary and to recognise the long term business relationship the airport has had with Ryanair since their first service departed the airport in December 1986, this relationship continues to be strong today with the airline serving 17 destinations from the airport, and last year celebrated the wonderful milestone of carrying their 12 millionth passenger through the airport."
"This summer Ryanair will operate their biggest ever schedule from the airport and we look forward to continuing this strong partnership and to growing our network of routes and services with Ryanair in the future.”
