Shannon Airport's Expansive Layout: Size And Significance

Shannon Airport is a small airport located in County Clare, in the west of Ireland, adjacent to the Shannon Estuary. It is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, with almost 2 million passengers in 2023. The airport has one terminal, with two floors, and is known for being super clean. It is the end destination of the N19 national route, which connects to the N18/M18 Limerick-Ennis-Galway route. Shannon Airport is approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Limerick and around 85 kilometres (53 mi) south of Galway.

Passenger numbers

Shannon Airport is an international airport located in County Clare, Ireland, near the Shannon Estuary. It is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland and the fifth busiest on the island, with almost 2 million passengers in 2023. The airport has a long history associated with transatlantic flight due to its strategic position on the west coast of Ireland, making it the most westerly international airport in Europe.

In 2012, Shannon Airport separated from the Dublin Airport Authority and became a publicly owned commercial airport operated by the Shannon Airport Authority plc. That year, the airport set a target to increase its annual passenger numbers to 2.5 million within five years. However, in 2017, the airport fell short of this goal, recording 1.74 million passengers. Despite this, Shannon remains a significant gateway to the West of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Over the years, Shannon Airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers. In 2013, the airport reported an 8% increase in traffic compared to the previous year, marking the first traffic increase in three years. This growth can be attributed to new routes and services offered by airlines such as Ryanair and the resumption of flights by other airlines. However, in 2019, the grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit led to a reduction of 120,000 passengers. Despite these challenges, Shannon Airport handled 1,864,762 passengers in 2018, the highest number since gaining independence from the Dublin Airport Authority.

Shannon Airport has a unique advantage for travellers to the United States due to its US pre-clearance facilities. It was the first airport outside the Americas to offer this service, allowing passengers travelling to the US to clear customs and immigration before boarding their flights. This convenience has made Shannon a popular choice for travellers seeking a seamless arrival experience in the US.

In summary, while Shannon Airport may not be the largest or most heavily trafficked airport in Ireland, it plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to the country's west coast and offering convenient connections to the United States. With ongoing efforts to enhance its services and attract more airlines, Shannon Airport continues to be a significant gateway to Ireland for travellers from around the world.

Location and transport links

Shannon Airport is located in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland, adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, and named after the nearby River Shannon, Ireland's longest river. It is situated halfway between Ennis and Limerick, with Ennis 23 miles north and Limerick 15 miles south of the airport. The airport is 223 kilometres from Dublin, 125 kilometres from Cork, 85 kilometres from Galway, and 90 kilometres from Ennis.

Shannon Airport is the end destination of the N19 national route, which connects to the N18/M18 Limerick-Ennis-Galway route. It is also the western end of European road E20. A dual carriageway section of the N19 was completed in 2004, bypassing the town of Shannon, and a new interchange and dual carriageway north to Ennis were finished in 2007 on the N18 (M18). From Dublin, travellers can take the M7 or N7 past Limerick, or the M6 to Galway, then merge onto the M18 southbound. From Galway, travellers can take the M18 or N18 southbound. From Ennis, the airport is a 23-minute drive on the N18. From Cork, travellers can take the N20, then merge onto the N18 after Limerick.

Shannon Airport has a range of transport links to and from the airport. There are several parking options, including short-term and long-term garages adjacent to the terminal, and the Park4Less lot, which is an eight-minute walk from the terminal. There are over 5,000 car parking spaces available. Car rental companies operating at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, and Thrifty. Bus services are also available, with J.J. Kavanagh and Sons operating regular services to Limerick, with a journey time of 45 minutes.

History

Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, Ireland, and is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland. It is adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, 24 kilometres (15 miles) from Limerick, and around 85 kilometres (53 miles) from Galway. The airport is built to serve 4 million passengers per year and is home to Ireland's longest runway.

Shannon Airport was built in the late 1930s, with the first commercial flight taking place in 1939. The airport was opened in 1945 on the north banks of the river Shannon, taking on the crucial role of Foynes, a flying-boat hub on the south banks. Foynes served as a refuelling point for flights from Europe to North America and vice versa. On September 16, 1945, Shannon Airport witnessed the landing of the first transatlantic flight from New York. In 1947, the Irish government established the world's first Customs Free Zone around the airport, including the first Duty-Free shop. This made Shannon Ireland's sole transatlantic gateway, with all North American-originating aircraft mandated to land at Shannon, even if their final destination was Dublin. This rule, known as the "Shannon Stopover," was politically motivated and remained in place until 2008.

In 1958, Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, commenced transatlantic operations with a thrice-weekly Dublin-Shannon-Boston-New York route. Shannon Airport reached its peak in 2006, with 3.6 million passengers passing through. Ryanair, Ireland's largest airline, opened a base at Shannon in 2005, offering 14 routes and 26 daily flights. In 2010, Shannon became the first airport in Europe to offer US border preclearance for private aircraft.

In December 2012, Shannon Airport separated from the Dublin Airport Authority and became a publicly owned commercial airport operated by the Shannon Airport Authority plc. Despite setting a target of 2.5 million annual passengers within five years, the airport saw a decline in traffic, with only 1.74 million passengers in 2017. However, it remains an important gateway to Ireland, particularly for the West Coast, offering several daily flights to the U.S., U.K., and beyond.

Facilities

Shannon Airport, located in County Clare, Munster, is the second-largest long-haul airport in Ireland. It is known for being the world's first duty-free airport, a status it was granted in 1947. The airport has a rich history in transatlantic flights, serving as the first transatlantic proving flight in 1945 and, later, as a refuelling stop for many transatlantic carriers.

Shannon Airport has a range of facilities to cater to the needs of its passengers. The airport has a terminal that is split into two floors, with arrivals and departures on the ground floor and restaurants, lounges, a museum, US pre-clearance, and passenger screening on the first floor. The terminal has 40 check-in desks, five baggage carousels, and 14 boarding gates, including six airbridges. The airport also offers several parking options, including short-term and long-term garages adjacent to the terminal, and a Park4Less lot located a short walk away.

Shannon Airport provides essential services such as banking, with three bureaux de change and ATMs located within the terminal building. There are various dining options, including a self-service restaurant in the check-in area, a café/snack bar in the arrivals hall, and a 24-hour pub in the departures lounge. Additionally, there is a small selection of shops, including gift shops, a bookshop, and newsagents, as well as duty-free outlets post-security.

The airport also offers nursery facilities in both the departures lounge and arrivals concourse, a children's play area, and a small oratory. The Rineanna Suite, located next to gate 7, is open to all for a fee and offers executive lounge facilities for corporate events and meetings. Shannon Airport provides free Wi-Fi access throughout the airport and has fixed computers with broadband internet access in the on-site newsagents. The airport also caters to the needs of disabled passengers with facilities such as lifts, ramps, specially adapted payphones, and disabled toilets located throughout the terminal.

Comparison with Dublin Airport

Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is approximately 139 miles from Dublin and 78 miles from Cork. The airport is adjacent to the Shannon Estuary and is located halfway between Ennis and Limerick, with both cities being 15 miles away from the airport. Shannon Airport is one of Ireland's main international airports and serves as a gateway for flights to Ireland from the US and several European destinations. It is also the western end of European road E20.

Dublin Airport, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Ireland, just north of Dublin city. It is the busiest airport in Ireland, with over 35 million passengers in 2022. The airport is a major hub for several airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Dublin Airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with a variety of transport options available, including buses, taxis, and car rentals.

In terms of size, Dublin Airport is significantly larger than Shannon Airport. Dublin Airport has two terminals, while Shannon Airport has a single terminal. Shannon Airport handled 1,864,762 passengers in 2018, while Dublin Airport handled over 35 million passengers in 2022.

Additionally, Dublin Airport offers a wider range of destinations and flight options compared to Shannon Airport. Dublin Airport serves as a hub for several low-cost carriers, providing a variety of domestic and international flight options. Shannon Airport, while offering flights to several European and North American destinations, has a more limited selection.

Both airports provide essential services and contribute significantly to Ireland's aviation industry. However, Dublin Airport, with its higher passenger volume and greater flight options, serves as the primary aviation hub in the country. Shannon Airport, despite being smaller, plays a crucial role in connecting the west coast of Ireland to the rest of the world, especially for transatlantic flights.

Frequently asked questions