Ireland West Airport Knock on track to welcome one million passengers in 2026 as over 576,000 passengers use airport between January and August
Mayo’s historic All-Ireland victory helped Ireland West Airport Knock to welcome over 110,000 passengers for the busiest August in the airport’s history.
So far this year, over 576,000 passengers have used the airport, which is on track to welcome over one million passengers in twelve months for the first time in its 40-year history.
Donal Healy, Head of Marketing, Aviation Business Development and Communications at Ireland West Knock, told the Irish Independent that August passenger numbers grew by more than 5,000 compared to August 2025, when the airport welcomed 106,255 people.
Mr Healy said that the boost in passenger numbers was “helped by all the people coming over and back” for the celebrations following Mayo’s All-Ireland final victory over Kerry on July 26.
According to newly released CSO statistics, the number of passengers using Ireland West Airport Knock between April and June has risen for the sixth year in a row.
A total of 287,617 passengers used the airport in Q2 2026, comprising 141,026 arrivals and 146,591 departures, up more than 16,000 on the 271,057 passengers recorded during the same period last year.
The airport also enjoyed a record-breaking July, with 107,246 passengers compared to 99,993 last July.
Passenger numbers at the airport plummeted in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
However, the airport has had a strong recovery, with passenger numbers rising every year since 2022, when it welcomed 709,540 passengers.
Last year, a record 945,862 passengers used the airport.
If the airport exceeds one million passengers in 2026, it may no longer be eligible for funding under the Regional Airport Support Scheme.
Ireland West Airport Knock received €1.9 million under the latest allocation of the scheme and has been included in the 2026-2030 programme.
During a visit to the airport in March, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary led calls for the annual passenger cap for the scheme to be raised to two million.
Mr O’Leary said that the airport could welcome up to 1.5 million passengers with the correct Government support.
He was speaking as Ryanair launched its biggest-ever summer flight schedule, with 17 destinations.
Ryanair has provided the vast majority of Ireland West Airport’s commercial flights since the airport officially opened in 1986.
London Luton remained the airport’s most popular route in Q2 of 2026, with 47,770 passengers, including 23,698 arrivals and 24,072 departures.
This was followed by London Stansted (38,363) and London Heathrow (22,836). Liverpool (32,858) remained the busiest non-London route, while Faro (17,538) was the most popular sun destination.
The next most-popular routes were East Midlands (13,675), Edinburgh (13,221), Bristol (12,777) and Manchester (12,040).
The airport has celebrated the fortieth anniversary of its official opening throughout 2026.
Among those to use the airport this year was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visited his ancestral home in Aughagower during an official visit to Ireland.