- Ireland West Airport recorded 111,303 passengers in August 2026, a 4.8pc increase on 2025
- Year-to-date figures exceed 576,000 passengers with annual total approaching one million
- July set a record with 107,246 passengers and Q2 traffic reached 287,617
- Ryanair operated its biggest-ever summer schedule with 17 routes
- Popular routes included London Luton, Stansted, Heathrow, Liverpool and Faro
Ireland West Airport Knock has recorded its busiest August on record with 111,303 passengers, helped by travel linked to Mayo’s All-Ireland football final victory over Kerry. The figure represents a 4.8pc increase on August 2025 and stands 17.3pc ahead of pre-pandemic levels. The rolling annual passenger count reached 984,085, up 8.1pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
The airport’s year-to-date figures stand at over 576,000 passengers, placing the facility on course to pass one million passengers for the first time in its 40-year history. July also set a record with 107,246 passengers, while second quarter traffic reached 287,617, up more than 16,000 on the previous year. Popular routes included London Luton, Stansted, Heathrow and Liverpool, with Faro the leading sun destination.
Airport chiefs attributed the boost to people travelling for celebrations following the 26 July final. The record-breaking month was supported by Ryanair’s biggest-ever summer flight schedule, consisting of 17 regional and European destinations. Mayo’s victory lifted the Sam Maguire Cup in late July and triggered weeks of celebrations and global travel back to the region.
