The best little airport in the world has only gotten better with a "very special destination" added to their line-up of gorgeous European routes. Ireland West Airport announced on Wednesday 2 October that they would open a new route to Groningen in The Netherlands during the summer 2025 with leading Dutch Tour Operator BBI Travel.
The weekly service will be operated by Emerald Airlines every Saturday for thirteen weeks between June and August 2025. The route is an exciting prospect offering the only direct access from The Netherlands to the West and Northwest of Ireland for summer 2025. Henk van der Kooi, managing director of BBI Travel, explained the significance of the destination: "The west coast of Ireland is a very special destination, that holds a special place in our hearts."
Henk van der Kooi added: "The breathtaking nature, warm culture and excellent food scene make this an unforgettable experience. It is also a fine destination to go golfing, surfing, cycling or hiking. BBI Travel's package holidays include flights, overnight stays and car rental. We are seeing an increase in demand for flights from regional airports."
Boost for Irish Tourism
Ireland West Airport, better known as Knock, also boasted of the benefits of hitting Benelux from their handy facility: "Traveling through a smaller airport means shorter lines, overview and everything close by.
"It's easy and you can start your holiday relaxed and what better way to start your holiday in Ireland than by arriving at the wonderful Ireland West Airport, located in the heart of the West of Ireland and the gateway to the magical Wild Atlantic Way." Joe Gilmore, Managing Director Ireland West Airport added “We are delighted to welcome this new service connecting Groningen in The Netherlands with the West of Ireland. This new service will be a major tourism boost for the West and Northwest regions, providing direct access for Dutch visitors to this beautiful part of Ireland."
Flying Dutch Tourists Straight to Knock
Almost half of Dutch visitors to Ireland visit the West, Northwest and Midlands, so flying them straight to Knock was the catalyst for the move, according to Gilmore. Joe Gilmore, Managing Director Ireland West Airport continued: "Tourism Ireland research shows that 40% of Dutch visitors to Ireland visit the West, Northwest and Midlands regions each year and this new service will provide a direct route to the West Coast for summer 2025.
"We look forward to working with Henk and the team at BBI Travel and Tourism Ireland in supporting this service and to welcoming thousands of Dutch visitors to the West of Ireland next year." The new service will commence on Saturday 7th June 2025 and operate every Saturday till the end of August. For further airport information, visit BBI Travel's website.
A Little Airport, A Big Impact
The new route is a testament to the growing popularity of Ireland as a tourist destination, especially for Dutch travelers. With its breathtaking scenery, warm culture, and delicious food, the West of Ireland is a perfect destination for a summer getaway. The new service will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy, bringing in thousands of new visitors each year. The new route will also make it easier for Dutch travelers to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, a stunning stretch of coastline that is home to some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery.
This new route will likely lead to an increase in tourism revenue for the region, as Dutch visitors will have more convenient and affordable access to the West of Ireland. This could benefit businesses in the tourism sector, such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators. The new route could also lead to the creation of new jobs in the region, as the tourism sector expands to accommodate the increased visitor numbers.
