Shannon passenger figs surge 43%

Figures released by the Shannon Airport Authority today show that passenger numbers using the airport for the month of May have increased by a record 43% when compared to the last year.

Staff are preparing to handle over 40,000 passengers alone during this coming bank holiday weekend.

An additional one million passengers are expected to travel through the airport in 2005. Both the UK and European markets are generating the largest volume of passengers for the airport.

The introduction of a number of new low cost services by have resulted in UK traffic increasing by 84% and the European market by 49% during the month of May.

New services by Ryanair, EasyJet, Hapag Lloyd Express and EuJet account for the majority of the growth in these markets.

Martin Moroney, airport director commented: "These figures represent a significant milestone in Shannon Airport's development as we have had an unprecedented increase in activity in a relatively short period of time.

"Together with our airline partners we are committed to further developing Shannon's route network for the continuing benefit of the region."