An EUR3.6m contract for two major upgrade projects at Knock Airport has been awarded to Lisdoonvarna-based Michael McNamara Ltd.The building projects will see the implementation of CAT II ILS (Instrument Landing System) on Runway 27 and the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) works on the 09 end of the runway.
Construction and civil works have already commenced on the CAT II ILS with the electrical and equipment installation works due to commence at the end of this month and is due to be completed and commissioned in February 2009. The second project, RESA on the 09 end of the runway is due to be completed by the end of 2008. The major benefit of CAT II ILS implementation will be to enhance the precision of approaches which will reduce the possibility of diversions caused by poor weather and low visibility conditions, reports businessworld.ie.
Commenting on the projects, Tomas Grimes, Property Manager, Ireland West Airport Knock said: "The RESA project will involve a major upgrade to the runway at Ireland West Airport Knock by extending the existing runway end safety area and increasing the aircraft turning circle for Runway 27. The CAT II ILS implementation will be a major boost to the Airport's daily operations as the reliability of services in and out of Ireland West Airport Knock will be greatly improved during the winter months where in the past, flights have been diverted to other Irish Airports due to problems with visibility. With the upgrade of the Instrument Landing System there will be better equipment in place to aid aircraft in poor visibility weather conditions meaning flights will be able to land in Ireland West Airport Knock in conditions they were unable to before."
