Shannon to show growth for first time in 5 years

Falling passenger numbers at Shannon have been halted and the airport is set to show a growth in 2013 for the first time in five years, the airports new chief, Neil Pakey, said yesterday.

Mr Pakey, speaking at a Shannon Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Dromoland Inn, said: “Shannon is on the cusp of a new golden era of evolution.”

June returned the first growth pointers with an increase of 8% on the same month in 2012.

This was followed in July with a 9.4% increase when passenger numbers rose from 158,603 to 173,558.

And indicators for August are that the upward trend has continued. Shannon had a passenger throughput of more than 3.6m passengers seven years ago and this slumped to 1.2m last year.

The decline was mainly attributed to a major down-scaling of Ryanair services due to ongoing rows with the Dublin Airport Authority which was responsible for Shannon up to Dec 31 last.

The new Shannon Airport Authority set up by Transport Minister, Leo Varadker, took control of running the airport from Jan 1 and since then a number of significant new destinations have been announced.

Mr Pakey said he expected the downward trend to be reversed this year with a slight increase overall.

While he did not specify a figure, a well-placed source said they were confident of achieving growth of up to 2% for the 12-month period, after a very sluggish start to the year.

Mr Pakey said: “The increase in passenger numbers has come mainly from the US and we are going in the right direction with a growth in passenger numbers for three consecutive months, for the first time in five years. It is not a bad start on the passenger side. The future now lies in our own hands and that makes life easier for me as we can have less politics and more action.”

The airport now forms part of the Shannon Group which includes the airport; Shannon Heritage; Shannon Commercial which is now responsible for Shannon Developments old property portfolio and Shannon International Aviation Services.

Kevin Thompstone, president of Shannon Chamber of Commerce, said “the development of new services from Shannon and the positive atmosphere and volume of people moving in, out and around the airport clearly demonstrates a new confidence and indicate that Shannon is developing and delivering opportunities”.