Knock Airport Board believes there is life after duty free, but with some State support reflecting a commitment to the regions.
Two key reports submitted to the Department of Finance in advance of the National Development Plan have endorsed this view.
The Fitzpatrick plan for the West Regional Authority earmarks four priority areas for investment in the region's airports.
For Knock, it proposes upgrading airside infrastructure and developing and marketing air routes to Britain and Europe.
The Western Development Commission study, carried out by Indecon Consultants, has analysed airport infrastructure for the seven counties under its remit, and has noted that the priority is not capital investment, but the development of new services and passenger numbers.
"As the experience of the regional airports has demonstrated, it is very difficult to develop sustained additional services which is related to the economies of scale in airline route financing and the relatively low population catchment in certain regions," the Indecon study says.
"We would, however, support the ongoing initiatives by the regional airports to develop passenger numbers and routes, and we would support investment, where justified by traffic numbers, in ongoing improved road access."
Mgr Grealy confirms that over the years the board has received many approaches from business interests in relation to making Knock pay.
After all, it was Mgr Horan's original view that Knock would generate the industry needed to revitalise the north-west.
One such approach in 1995 came from a former Army officer, Capt Michael O'Farrell, representing interests including a US businessman, Mr J.C. Smith of L-Systems plc who cited many years' experience in the aviation industry, latterly with Lockheed.
Mr Smith's company proposed leasing Knock airport with a view to developing its industrial base, including an airfreight redistribution centre and tourism activities in the area.
The proposal included developing four first-class hotels, each of 500 rooms or more, and each with an adjoining 18-hole golf course. With Mr Smith and Capt O'Farrell was Mr Colm Scallan, brother-in-law of the new Connacht-Ulster MEP, Mrs Rosemary Dana Scallan. He believes that the tourism potential of Knock shrine has never been fully realised, and that it could become another Medjugorje. The Knock board examined the proposals and turned them down. It was not satisfied that the group's level of experience was sufficient to meet the targets outlined, nor was it satisfied with Mr Smith's assurance that capital could be raised in the US if a lease was entered into.
