Owais Crawford
Galway Airport was once a popular airport in Ireland, located 6km from the city centre. However, it closed for commercial traffic in 2011, with a brief reopening from January to May 2015. The closest airports to Galway are now Dublin Airport, Ireland West International Airport at Knock, and Shannon International Airport. All three airports offer bus and car rental services to Galway, with Dublin Airport also providing train links.
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What You'll Learn
Galway Airport closed in 2011
Galway Airport, located 6km from the city centre, closed to commercial traffic in 2011. Before its closure, the airport served as a gateway to the countryside of Connemara and the Burren region, famous for its karst landscape and the Cliffs of Moher.
Galway Airport was once the fastest-growing airport in Ireland, with passenger growth at 63% per annum in 2007. Sixteen destinations were served directly, including Bristol, Cardiff, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Manchester. In 2008, the airport saw a record of 309,000 passengers, and the two millionth passenger passed through. However, after 2008, the number of routes and passengers dropped significantly, with only Aer Arann routes to Luton, Lorient, Manchester, and Edinburgh remaining.
The closure of Galway Airport in 2011 was likely due to a combination of factors. One reason could be the financial troubles of its main airline user, Aer Arann, which resulted in a significant decrease in routes and passengers. Additionally, national budget cutbacks in 2008 led to a reduction in the government's allocation of grant money to the airport by 50-60%. The lack of public transport to the airport and its proximity to other airports in the region may have also contributed to its closure.
Since the closure of Galway Airport, there have been attempts to reopen it to commercial flights. In January 2015, the airport briefly reopened under the operation of Carnmore Aviation Ltd., but it closed again for commercial traffic in 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport buildings were used for public testing, and in 2021, plans were announced to redevelop the site as a studio for film and TV production. However, as of 2023, these plans have not proceeded.
Currently, there are no direct flights to Galway, but the city is easily accessible from nearby airports such as Dublin Airport, Ireland West International Airport at Knock, and Shannon International Airport. These airports offer bus and car rental options for travellers to reach Galway.
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Dublin Airport is 2.5 hours away
Galway is a city in Ireland that is known for its scenery and is a gateway to the Burren region and the Cliffs of Moher. Although there are currently no direct flights to Galway, the city is easily accessible from several nearby airports. These include Dublin Airport, Ireland West International Airport, and Shannon International Airport.
Dublin Airport is located in County Dublin, Ireland, and is about 117 miles away from Galway. It is Ireland's largest and busiest international airport, managing an average of 60,000 passengers per day. The airport serves as a hub for both short and long-haul flights, with connections to North America, the Middle East, and East Asia.
Dublin Airport is approximately 2.5 hours away from Galway by car. However, the travel time between the airport and Galway can vary depending on the mode of transportation. For example, the bus service from Dublin Airport to Galway typically takes around 3 hours.
There are several options for travelling from Dublin Airport to Galway. One popular option is to use a bus service, such as Citylink or GoBus, which offer regular and cost-effective transportation between the airport and the city. These bus services can take around 3 hours to get to Galway, depending on traffic and the number of stops along the way.
Alternatively, car rental services are also available at Dublin Airport, offering a more flexible and potentially faster travel option. The drive from Dublin Airport to Galway takes approximately 2.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the route taken. The journey offers a scenic view of the Irish countryside and provides easy access to other nearby attractions in the region.
In addition to Dublin Airport, there are other airports accessible to those travelling to Galway. These include Ireland West International Airport at Knock, which is about an hour's drive from Galway, and Shannon International Airport, also about an hour away. These airports offer alternative options for travellers, providing convenient access to the West of Ireland.
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Ireland West Airport is 1 hour away
Galway Airport has been closed to commercial flights since 2011, so travellers to Galway need to fly into one of the nearby airports. The closest airport to Galway is Ireland West Airport, which is just one hour away by car. This airport is located in Charlestown, County Mayo, and is the main international air access gateway for the West, North West, and Midland regions of Ireland. It is also known as Ireland West Airport Knock or Knock Airport.
Ireland West Airport is served by Ryanair, Europe's leading low-cost airline, which has continually expanded its services to the region. Bus Éireann operates a regular bus service from Galway to Knock Airport, with multiple departures per day. The journey takes about two hours, and tickets can be purchased from the driver or online.
Shannon International Airport and Dublin Airport are also within easy reach of Galway, both being approximately one hour and two and a half hours away, respectively, by car. Dublin Airport is Ireland's largest and busiest international airport, with an extensive short and medium-haul network and a significant long-haul network. Shannon Airport is located in County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland and is one of Ireland's three primary airports. It has one main terminal that caters to regional, short, and medium-haul flights throughout Europe, as well as long-haul flights to North America.
While Galway does not currently have a functioning commercial airport, its proximity to several major airports, including Ireland West Airport, makes it easily accessible to travellers wishing to explore the beautiful West of Ireland.
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Shannon Airport is 1 hour away
Galway Airport in Ireland has been closed to commercial traffic since 2011, with the exception of a brief period between January and May 2015. Galway Airport was once the fastest-growing airport in Ireland, with passenger growth at 63% per annum in 2007. However, following the cessation of services by its main airline user, Aer Arann, the airport experienced a significant decline in both passenger numbers and routes.
Despite the closure of Galway Airport, the city of Galway remains accessible via several nearby airports, including Dublin Airport, Ireland West International Airport at Knock, and Shannon International Airport. Of these options, Shannon Airport is the closest, located just one hour away from Galway by car. Shannon Airport is an international airport situated in County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland. It serves as a gateway to the West of Ireland and offers connections to various destinations throughout Europe and North America.
Shannon Airport boasts a diverse range of airlines operating regular scheduled and charter flights, including well-known carriers such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and United Airlines. The airport also provides a unique advantage for passengers travelling to the United States, as it is one of only two airports in Europe that offer US border pre-clearance services. This allows passengers to complete their paperwork before departure, saving valuable time upon arrival in the US.
For travellers looking to reach Galway, Shannon Airport offers a convenient and straightforward option. Bus Éireann provides a direct bus service, Bus Route 51, which connects the airport to Galway via several towns and villages, including Clarecastle, Ennis, Crusheen, Gort, and Oranmore. This bus service offers a cost-effective and time-efficient means of travelling between Shannon Airport and Galway, making it a popular choice for visitors to the region.
In addition to its accessibility by bus, Shannon Airport also provides car rental services, allowing travellers to explore the surrounding areas at their own pace. The drive from Shannon Airport to Galway takes approximately one hour, making it a quick and convenient journey. With its proximity to Galway and the range of flight options available, Shannon Airport is an ideal choice for those looking to explore the beauty and culture of the West of Ireland.
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Galway Airport briefly reopened in 2015
Galway Airport is located at Carnmore, 7.4 km (4.6 miles) east of Galway City, County Galway, Ireland. The airport ceased all commercial operations in 2011 due to its runway being too short for most jet airliners. Galway Airport briefly reopened to commercial flights in 2015 but closed again due to a lack of demand.
In January 2015, the airport welcomed commercial flights once again. Carnmore Aviation Ltd., a company owned by the Conneely Group in Ballinasloe, operated the airport under a licence from Galway County Council until May 2015. The Conneely Group also owns Weston Airport near Dublin, and staff were shared between the two airports during this time. This move brought commercial aviation back to Galway Airport, albeit briefly.
During its brief reopening, the airport could only accommodate turboprop aircraft or small executive jets. Despite this limitation, the return of commercial aviation to Galway Airport, even for a short period, was welcomed by the local authorities. Carnmore Aviation Ltd.'s licence allowed the airport to host almost 60 jets in 2015.
The airport's history dates back to 1918 when a landing ground was constructed for the Royal Flying Corps at nearby Oranmore. Galway Airport has been closed to commercial traffic since 2016 and is currently only used by the Galway Flying Club for fixed-wing training and leisure flying.
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Frequently asked questions
Galway Airport closed to commercial flights in 2011 and has been closed since 2016. However, there are plans to redevelop the site.
The closest airports to Galway are Dublin Airport, Ireland West International Airport at Knock, and Shannon International Airport.
Dublin Airport is 117 miles (188 km) away from Galway, which is roughly a 2.5-hour drive or a 3-hour bus ride.
There are currently no direct flights to Galway. However, Ryanair is continually expanding its services from Europe to Ireland.
