Madam, - "Dublin Knock"? WJ Murphy jests, or maybe not (Dec 19th).
However, a year or two ago, on the long haul back to Mayo through the Dublin traffic, I did calculate that it was probably quicker for someone in Mullingar to drive to Knock (bad though much of the road is), park, check in, go through security and stroll to the departure gate by the allotted time, than it was for them to drive to Dublin airport, park (probably in the overflow to the overflow to the long-term car park), wait for a bus to the terminal, unload their luggage again and push it through the short- term car park and across the road to the terminal, queue for half an hour (or more) to check in, queue through the long zig-zag for security and walk, and walk, and walk and negotiate flights of stairs, whilst carrying hand luggage and coat in an overheated (or is it undercooled?), building - no mini-trollies here, unlike eg Schiphol - to the departure gate. And that was without allowing an extra hour or so for possible traffic jams, road works, accidents, etc on the route into Dublin.
Since the introduction of the extended security checks at Dublin airport, with the recommended earlier check-in times, and now with the opening of the new motorway, it must be faster for the residents of Dublin West, at least, to fly from Knock.
There are hotels situated west of Dublin from which the overall time would certainly be faster for flights from Knock.
Now we just need more airlines to realise this, and then to offer us a larger choice of scheduled flights. - Yours, etc,
JEANETTE BLOOR,
Mulranny,
Westport,
Co Mayo.