Shannon Airport, after a successful year in 2024, continues to thrive with new routes, increased investments, and a growing number of passengers. The Shannon Airport Group reported an 8% increase in annual turnover, reaching over €73m, and a pre-tax profit of almost €26m. This significant growth has attracted the interest of major airlines, resulting in the airport now offering its largest transatlantic schedule with five daily nonstop flights to New York, Newark, Boston, and Chicago.
Most recently, budget airline Ryanair announced three new routes and a $100m investment in the airport, adding a new aircraft to its fleet stationed at Shannon. This brings the total number of Ryanair aircrafts at the airport to four, surpassing Cork Airport despite having one million fewer passengers last year.
CEO Mary Considine believes that there is great potential for growth, especially with the addition of more aircraft and increased frequency and services. The airport’s strong foreign direct investment in the catchment area, as well as its role as the international gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, have contributed to its success.
While Shannon Airport has enhanced connectivity across Europe, its transatlantic flights remain some of the busiest and crucial to its operations. However, recent political tensions in the US have led to a decrease in the number of people traveling from Ireland to the US. In March 2024, passenger travel from Ireland fell by 27% compared to the same month in 2023, according to the US International Trade Administration.
Despite this decline, Considine remains optimistic, stating that their airline partners are confident about the upcoming summer season with strong forward bookings. She also notes the airport’s US preclearance facility, one of only two in Europe, which provides greater comfort to Irish travelers, especially young adults and those on J1 visas. This facility has also presented an opportunity for the airport to grow, with transfer passengers choosing to pre-clear at Shannon to avoid being refused entry upon arrival in the US.
Aside from commercial flights, Shannon Airport has also been in the news for reportedly accommodating Israeli aircraft carrying weapons from the US to Ireland. In response to these reports, Considine states that the airport operates based on government policy and works closely with the gardaí to ensure safety and security. She also clarifies that everything is done in line with existing policy and with government clearance.
Looking ahead, Shannon Airport’s future strategy includes prioritizing passenger growth, infrastructure improvements, and the growth of its commercial property portfolio. The airport group has also experienced strong growth in the manufacturing sector, which aligns with its goal of re-balancing the lopsided market share among Ireland’s airports. Considine believes that revising the government’s aviation policy and amending the threshold for grant funding for airports up to 3m passengers can help achieve this.