Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport is your gateway to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
Shannon Airport in western Ireland is one of the country’s fastest growing, becoming the first to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Its central location makes it the only airport in Ireland that can be reached from all Irish cities in 150 minutes, and is also closer than Dublin to most tourist sites.
Ryanair is Shannon’s largest carrier, accounting for 65% of its annual scheduled seat capacity. The ULCC’s biggest market from the Irish airport is the UK, with six airports served, followed by Spain with nine destinations, albeit less capacity.
Boasting a US pre-clearance facility, Shannon Airport also has a notable transatlantic network. Aer Lingus, United and Delta provide up to 5 daily flights to New York JFK, New York EWR, Chicago ORD and Boston.
Aer Lingus, which is Shannon’s second largest carrier, also provides hub connectivity from the city to London LHR. However, additional opportunities remain for airlines to link Shannon with major European airports in Amsterdam, Paris, or Frankfurt.
Since the pandemic, Shannon Airport has seen the launch of over 15 new services with Ryanair, Aer Lingus, United and Delta. Within the airport’s catchment, the public increasingly wants to fly out of its local airport rather than use alternatives in the country. Over 50% of Ireland’s foreign direct investment is in Shannon Airport’s catchment area, with corporate travellers requiring greater access to Europe and the Far East, presenting opportunities for carriers to commence operations to the city.
Tourism Board Info
Shannon is located on the West Coast of Ireland. It is an access point for County Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way for those flying from the UK, Europe and the USA. Shannon is the most convenient and obvious stopping point before and after the trip across the Atlantic.
Shannon Airport has been a centre for innovation both in and out of aviation. It became the first airport to offer Duty Free in 1947, established the world’s first Free Zone in 1959 on the adjacent industrial estate and is well known as the birthplace of Irish Coffee!
In 2006 approximately 3.7 million passengers travelled through Shannon. As the need for technical stops has decreased, many routes that had previously been served successfully for decades began overflying Shannon. However, demand is still very strong and airport is keen to reintroduce lost direct links on both sides of the Atlantic.
Shannon also serves as a good base for a visit to the west of Ireland, offering tremendous diversity in its scenery and in the activity options available throughout the area. Limerick City is merely a 20 minute drive away and Galway just 45 minutes. Popular attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Ring of Kerry are also within just a short drive of Shannon Airport.
For golfers, Shannon town has its own golf course and makes a good base for visiting Clare’s golf courses, with many of the county’s finest courses less than an hour away. Limerick and Kerry’s best golf offerings are also within easy travelling distance. The 2027 Ryder Cup will be hosted in nearby Adare manor, just 30 minutes away.
