Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo, reported its busiest year on record in 2023, with passenger numbers increasing by 13% compared to 2022. 

A total of 818,000 people traveled through the airport in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 807,000 set in 2019. 

The UK was by far the most popular destination for passengers at the airport, with 665,000 passengers flying to and from the UK last year. 

Passenger numbers were boosted last year by the launch of a new daily service between Ireland West and London Heathrow, operated by Aer Lingus. 

The number of passengers flying to and from mainland and continental Europe also reached a record high last year, with 148,000 passengers flying to and from destinations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Germany, a jump of 7% from 2022. 

August was the busiest month of the year, with 102,000 passengers traveling through the airport in the final month of the summer holiday. August 29 was the busiest day of the year at Ireland West Airport, with over 4,500 passengers traveling through the airport.  

Meanwhile, Irish airline Ryanair was by far the most popular airline at the airport in 2023, carrying over 730,000 passengers, an increase of 3% compared to 2022. 

Ireland West Airport is served by Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and Lauda Europe - three major European international airlines - and now flies to 21 different destinations across the continent. 

Over 6,000 flights arrived or departed from the airport in 2023, while only 10 flights were impacted due to bad weather, a record low for a calendar year. 

Arthur French, Chairman of Ireland West Airport, described 2023 as a milestone year for the airport, noting that US President Joe Biden landed there on April 14 during his historic visit to Ireland. 

"We launched new services to both Lanzarote and Tenerife with Ryanair, and for the first time launched a new daily service with Aer Lingus, to one of Europe's major international airport hubs, London Heathrow," French said in a statement. 

"I wish to express our gratitude to our customers, airline and tour operator partners, stakeholders, tourism groups, and Local Authority partners for their ongoing support in helping us to continue to grow passenger numbers and develop international connectivity for the region. 

"I would also like to say a special word of thanks to the staff at the airport for their hard work and continued focus on ensuring the customer and passenger experience through the airport is both a safe and welcoming one."