Shannon business jet traffic flies 26% higher compared to last year

Shannon Airport enjoyed its busiest ever month for business jet traffic with an increase of over 25% in June compared to June 2011.

In 2011, Shannon handled over 4,500 business jet movements, including 367 in June. Last month saw an increase of 26% with a total of 460 “business aviation jet movements” at Shannon — the largest number in and out of the airport ever in a single month.

The airport is separating from the Dublin Airport Authority, and the business jet sector is a particular area that Shannon has been targeting in recent years.

Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said: “While terminal traffic remains our priority area, we have been putting increased focus also on business aviation at Shannon over recent years as it is a potential growth area. We have witnessed steady growth as a result and June has been an exceptional month.

“This is of benefit not just to Shannon but the entire region as this exposes us to some of the world’s leading high-net worth individuals and corporations, which can only be good. We are witnessing particular growth across the Middle-East and US markets and this is no coincidence as Shannon is as a potential crossroads for business aviation travel between these regions.”

Also last year, radiation screening procedures were introduced by US authorities at Shannon, reducing not just turn-around times for jet operators but saving aircraft from delays undergoing the same scrutiny on arrival in the US.

Also last month, Quintessentially Aviation, part of leading luxury lifestyle group Quintessentially, confirmed plans to develop its first Irish VIP passenger lounge at Shannon.

This will link Shannon with the world’s most exclusive private/corporate jet airport, Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, where Quintessentially is developing a flagship lounge also.