RYANAIR added yet another new route this month, this time from Gatwick to Knock in Ireland's Co Mayo. Knock International Airport, voted Ireland's best regional airport 2004 by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland, is located near Charlestown Co Mayo and is Ireland's fourth international airport. It is the fastest growing airport in the country and is the only international airport serving the EU-designated Border, Midland and Western region of Ireland and links the West and North West of Ireland with the UK and many European and intercontinental destinations. But that”s not all that makes Knock so important. It is also home to the Marian Shrine, where Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist allegedly appeared to 15 parishioners at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. One and a half million pilgrims visit the shrine annually, so Ryanair shouldn”t have any trouble filling seats. It may however have problems staffing the new route. Employees of the low fare carrier have reportedly complained about low wages, bad working conditions and having to pay for their water during flights. Ryanair dismissed the reports, saying that it pays far better than its competitors, citing the average salary of a Ryanair employee is E50,582 per annum compared to the E41,000 salary paid by other airlines.
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