Everybody wanted to be in this picture
of the signing which they hope will promote the areas
around both airports
STEWART AIRPORT – Stewart International Airport near Newburgh and Ireland West Airport Knock are now sister airports with the intent of bridging the Atlantic divide.
Knock Airport and County Mayo officials came to Stewart on Friday to witness the signing of the agreement to promote both sides of the ocean.
Stewart Manager Ed Harrison signed it for his airport.
“We are going to share technology, share security issues and share marketing opportunities so that as we work together in the not too distance future we will have another destination here at Stewart directly to their airport,” Harrison said.
Knock Airport Managing Director Joe Gilmore noted they do not have direct international flights to the U.S. but he is hoping this new relationship might make that happen.
“We are seeking to develop direct air access into the U.S. market and particularly into the New York region and this opportunity with the Port Authority of New York and Stewart Airport is fantastic for us,” Gilmore said. “While we don’t have a direct route at the moment, we are working very hard behind the scenes.”
Officials from both airports are hoping to persuade Norwegian Air to
connect the two markets. The airline already has flights into Ireland
and Northern Ireland from Stewart.
The Port Authority has other sister airport relationships with Narita International Airport in Japan, the Capital Airports Holding Company, which operates 30 airports in China, including Beijing and between Teterboro Airport and Biggin Hill Airport in the Greater London Area.
