Ryanair and Ireland West Airport Knock Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership and Record Growth
Ireland West Airport Knock (IATA: NOC, ICAO: EIKN) and Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, are celebrating 40 years of collaboration, marked by a special celebration flight on March 24, 2026. Ryanair flew a commemorative Boeing 737 into the airport to acknowledge four decades of commercial flights since the airport’s opening in 1986.
A History of Growth
Over the past 40 years, Ryanair has carried over 12 million passengers to and from Ireland West Airport Knock, solidifying its position as the airport’s largest airline customer. Midwest Radio reports that the partnership has been instrumental in the airport’s growth, particularly in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Record Passenger Numbers Forecast for 2026
Ireland West Airport Knock is poised to welcome over 1 million passengers in 2026, a significant increase of 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels of 700,000 passengers. This milestone will mark the first time the airport has surpassed the 1 million passenger mark in a single year.
Ryanair’s Continued Investment
Ryanair’s commitment to Ireland West Airport Knock remains strong. The airline anticipates carrying 1 million passengers to and from the airport during the Summer of 2026, representing approximately 95% of the airport’s total traffic. Ryanair will operate 17 routes from Knock Airport this summer, including 8 to the UK and 9 to destinations across Europe.
About Ireland West Airport Knock
Ireland West Airport Knock, officially known as Ireland West Airport Knock, is located 5.6 km (3.5 miles) southwest of Charlestown, County Mayo, Ireland. According to Wikipedia, in 2024, the airport handled 834,000 passengers, making it the fourth-busiest airport in Ireland after Dublin, Cork and Shannon. The airport’s elevation is 665 ft (203 m) above sea level.
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