A woman from Cheshire in England was today declared the three millionth passenger to pass through Knock Airport since it first opened in 1986.
Mrs Margaret Mary Hawksworth, who was visiting Ireland for the first time in 50 years to see relatives in Ballintubber, Co Roscommon, was congratulated with a one-week sun holiday, champagne and flowers.
Last year passenger numbers reached a record high of 370,000 and the airport expects to welcome over 500,000 passengers in 2005.
The Airport's chief executive Mr Liam Scollan said: "Our attractive offering of low-cost flights to a host of UK destinations, coupled with charter flights to various European cities and sun destinations means that Knock International Airport is now the airport of choice for many people across the Border, Midlands and Western Region".