I use Knock Airport all the time. I have absolutely no problem paying the deelopment fee - delighted I can fly to UK and the continent with out having to face Dublin Airport. Service is excellent so big deal we have to queue to pay fee. Better than getting on a shuttle bus from the car park - nearly takes as long for the shuttle bus to get from teh carpark in Dujblin to the terminal as it is for me to get from Ballina to Knock Airport.
I agree with most of what you say. To me, as a mayo person, the airport provides a great service. To be able to access the UK as you said, is good. To be able to go to a range of top class sun holiday destinations and not have the hassle of:
- Travelling to Dublin.
- Dublin Traffic.
- Long term Parking and that shuttle bus.
- Exhorbitant parking charges.
- long queues for check in.
- travelling back from Dublin when you arrive back from your holiday (needing a good rest!)
It really is a brilliant facility and one which should be supported by all in the Midlands, West and North West and seen those outside these areas as potentially offering a service that they could avail of in preference to the downsides of Dublin Airport as I have mentioned above.
I disagree though about the Departure Charge though. I think it is necessary, Knock deosnt have the income stream from the Airlines like the larger Airports have. Nor does it get any government subvention on an ongoing basis like the larger Airports. It needs this fee for to raise funds to extend and grow the Airport.
Ideally, I would like the charges to be included in the cost of the flight ticket. I know though that Ryanair being the major airline operating out of IWAK, wont accommodate this, so that's kinda the end of the discussion!
I do feel embarassed when I am with people, especially tourists and we have to pay this fee.
I have only come across this fee in one other airport and that was Hamburg about 10 years ago. Dont know whether they still charge it. Ironically I was flying from Hamburg to Knock!