Shannon Airport sees busiest year since 2009

Airport makes the case for permanent inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme

Shannon Airport had a strong growth surge in 2023, with 1.958 million passengers welcomed to the airport, a 29% increase on 2022 activity.

Passenger numbers through Shannon Airport increased by 29% to 1.95 million last year, its highest level since 2009.

The airport reported growth in air services across all markets, with passenger numbers to and from continental Europe rising 41% to more than 748,000. UK traffic increased by 31% to 838,000, while transatlantic passenger numbers increased by 24% to 296,000.

The airport's offering increased last year, with new Ryanair services to Naples, Porto, Béziers and Liverpool, as well as a new Aer Lingus service to Paris Charles de Gaulle. 

United Airlines also commenced a new daily Chicago service. The return of the Delta Air Lines daily seasonal service to JFK beginning in May will bring the total number of US services from Shannon to five.

A recent report by Oxford Economics shows the Shannon Airport Group delivers a major contribution of almost €4bn to Ireland’s GDP, supports more than 20,300 jobs and contributes €643m in tax revenues.

Shannon Airport Group chief executive Mary Considine said its temporary inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme helped enormously to rebuild in the aftermath of covid.

"Ultimately, Shannon Airport’s permanent inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme will deliver economic benefits for Ireland, aligning as it does with the Government’s own ambitions for ensuring balanced regional development. 

"We have been lobbying hard for this for some time and continue to do so as we await the outcome of the Government’s Mid-Term Review of the Programme due shortly," she said.