Profits rise by 34% at Ireland West Airport Knock as revenues hit record €25m
Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 14:24
Pre-tax profits at the firm that operates Ireland West Airport Knock last year increased by 34% to €3.3m in the busiest year on record for the airport.
New accounts for Connacht Airport Development Company Ltd show that last year pre-tax profits increased by €845,000 to €3.3m after revenues reached a record €25m.
In their report, the directors state that 2025 “has proven to be the busiest year on record at the airport, with passenger numbers reaching 946,000 for the first time in the airport’s history, surpassing the previous record of 834,000 passengers achieved in 2024”.
The report shows that the airport is heavily dependent on Ryanair services with Ryanair carrying 843,000 passengers in 2025 – which represents 89% of the airport’s overall passenger numbers.
Last year, Ryanair operated 17 routes while the directors state that the airport’s Aer Lingus Heathrow service went “from strength to strength”, rising to a record 96,000 passengers.
The directors state that revenues increased by 19% to €25m as a result of continuing growth across the airport’s main commercial income streams.
The directors predict that 2026 will be another record year for passenger traffic, projecting passenger numbers of more than 950,000 for the first time.
However, the directors state that projected revenues for 2026 are €20m – down from €25m and this, they state, is due to the transfer of fuel operations to Shell Aviation in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The directors state that the transfer of the fuel operations has been seamless to date.
They state passenger numbers have been boosted this year by the airport’s biggest ever sun schedule to nine city break and sun destinations across Europe.
Last year, the airport invested €8.6m in completing safety, security and infrastructural projects while an additional €7m is due to be spent on similar projects this year.
On the uncertainties facing the airport firm, the directors note the reliance on a limited number of airlines for the passenger traffic in the current economic climate.
They state that the airport is continuing its endeavours to both expand its current business with its incumbent airline partners and attract new airlines and services to the airport.
They also note that the continued reliance on exchequer support through the Regional Airports Programme for critical safety, security, fire and air traffic control costs.
The company’s pre-tax profit also takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €3.65m.
The profit also includes other operating income of €4.66m concerning Government grant funding.
The airport firm recorded a post tax profit of €2.85m after incurring a corporation tax charge of €448,953.
Numbers employed by the airport firm last year increased from 153 to 158 as staff costs rose from €7.4m to €8.23m.
The pay for one executive director totalled €244,226 made up of remuneration of €188,485 and pension contributions of €55,741.
A breakdown of the firm’s revenues show that it recorded aeronautical revenues of €10.7m, commercial revenues of €14.26m and “other sales” of €47,500.
At the end of last year, the airport firm had shareholder funds of €16.67m that included accumulated profits of €12.8m. The company’s cash funds rose from €11.07m to €12.67m.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
