The 2026 plan which will plot crucial development plans for Ireland West Airport Knock

Minister of State Alan Dillon has outlined the significance of the Roadmap in shaping the Strategic Development Zone and in determining what funding streams and infrastructure will ultimately be needed

The SDZ is regarded as a uniquely important national project. It is the only fully economic SDZ in Ireland, the only one located outside an urban area, and the only one positioned beside an international airport.

It has the potential to support up to 6,000 jobs, boost tourism, and, according to the Government, has the “potential to significantly drive regional economic development.”

With a Government-backed Roadmap due by August 2026, Mayo County Council is now pressing for the SDZ to be designated as a priority project in the National Development Plan (NDP).

The county’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS) states that only full inclusion in Government investment plans will allow Knock’s SDZ to reach its potential as a major driver of growth in the North West.

Minister Dillon has outlined the SDZ’s progress to date, where the next phase of development sits, and how the project ties into broader national policy – most of which now depends on the contents of the Roadmap.

The Mayo representative has also addressed questions on the Western Rail Corridor’s potential extension into the airport, and concerns over Uisce Éireann’s involvement in delivering essential infrastructure upgrades.

The 2026 Roadmap

The Planning Scheme for the Knock Airport SDZ is already in effect and will guide all future development proposals.

“I am pleased to say that, to date, four developments have been granted permission under the SDZ Planning Scheme,” Minister Dillon confirmed.

These four developments are an Airport Development & Expansion Area; a Hotel & Conference Campus; a Business & Enterprise Campus; and a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Sector – planning permission for the MRO was granted last week.

Ensuring the Roadmap is completed on time is now the central priority. The Government has funded a dedicated Project Manager for this, and all work will be overseen by a Steering Committee chaired by Mayo County Council.

“This document will seek to identify ways to capitalise on the unique location of the SDZ and the planning certainty that the SDZ designation offers, while also setting out any financial or other support required,” Minister Dillon explained.

The Steering Committee includes representatives from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Mayo County Council, Ireland West Airport, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, NWRA, Western Development Commission and Atlantic Technological University.

Potential Funding Streams

Securing the SDZ as a priority project in the NDP is seen as essential to ensuring that the project progresses. Councillors have noted that getting the level of funding needed will be the biggest challenge for development.

Minister Dillon explained that, while the Roadmap is still being prepared, it is not yet possible to confirm whether the SDZ will feature in the updated NDP or what specific funding will be allocated.

The scale and timing of infrastructure requirements can only be assessed once the Roadmap is complete.

He explained that SDZs are typically led by private developers. Still, he added that each SDZ designation is unique and Knock Airport may warrant additional Government consideration. Once the Roadmap is in place, appropriate funding mechanisms will be considered.

“Its development would align with broader objectives around the delivery of balanced regional development, as set out in Project Ireland 2040, and regional economic growth as set out in the Programme for Government 2025,” he said.

Critical Infrastructure Upgrades

Concerns have been raised locally about whether Uisce Éireann will commit to upgrading water and wastewater systems needed for the SDZ.

During the October meeting of Mayo County Council, Cllr Gerry Murray told the meeting that he had it on good authority that Uisce Éireann would not commit to upgrading the necessary infrastructure at Knock Airport.

He explained that the company viewed the airport as an independent commercial entity and had no statutory obligation to carry out the works.

Minister Dillon acknowledged that while the phasing for development is yet to be determined, there is going to be “significant infrastructural works required to fully enable the development of the SDZ”.

He has confirmed that there is a Master Cooperation Agreement and a Support Services Agreement in place between Uisce Éireann and Mayo County Council.

“Uisce Éireann has affirmed its commitment to working with Mayo County Council to ensure the ongoing and future servicing of the Airport and the SDZ,” he said.

Expansion of the Western Rail Corridor into Knock Airport

Support among councillors for extending the Western Rail Corridor into Knock Airport continues to grow, especially following confirmation that the Athlone–Claremorris section is set to reopen within 18 months.

A direct public transport link would open up the West and be a game-changer for the region. It is part of the long-term vision for the SDZ.

The EDS identifies improved connectivity, including access to the Western Rail Corridor, as essential to unlocking the SDZ’s full potential.

Minister Dillon recognised the “considerable advantages to ensuring that a Western Rail Corridor also serves both the airport and the SDZ,” but is aware that, as the development of the Roadmap is not yet finalised, it would be difficult to indicate if there are plans for this to happen at this point.

He said that the Roadmap will “give a clearer impression of what development of the SDZ entails, as well as the extent of required infrastructure and associated works to ensure that the SDZ is best positioned to serve the cohort of enterprises for which it was designated.”

As work on the SDZ continues, Minister Dillon stressed that the whole picture will only emerge once the Roadmap is complete.

“Once we have a clearer understanding of the SDZ’s development, questions of sequencing of associated infrastructure and consideration of how best to leverage surrounding enabling infrastructure can be considered in the context of that roadmap.”

With the plan expected in August 2026, the next nine months will be crucial in determining how the Knock Airport SDZ can deliver on its promise of driving economic growth and balanced regional development for Mayo and the wider region.

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.