Lois Larson
Sligo Airport (IATA: SXL, ICAO: EISG) is a small regional airport located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland. Since 2011, the airport has not had any scheduled passenger routes. Previously, passengers could fly from Sligo Airport to Dublin Airport, with flights operated by Avair, Euroceltic Airways, and Aer Arann. Sligo Airport continues to serve as a base for the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter (Rescue 118) and general aviation, including aircraft such as Cessnas, Pipers, and Beechcraft. While Sligo Airport does not currently offer commercial flights, travellers can still visit Sligo by flying into nearby airports, such as Knock International Airport, and then making their way to Sligo by other means.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland |
| Longitude | 54.283333 |
| Latitude | -8.466667 |
| Airport Codes | IATA: SXL, ICAO: EISG/EISGSXL |
| Flights | Sligo to Dublin (until 2011) |
| Sligo to Manchester (until 2008) | |
| Flights to Washington, D.C. | |
| Flights from the United States to Sligo |
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What You'll Learn
Sligo Airport has had no scheduled routes since 2011
Sligo Airport (IATA: SXL, ICAO: EISG) is a small regional airport located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland. Sligo Airport has had no scheduled routes since 2011, when it lost its final scheduled route to Dublin Airport. This route was operated by Aer Arann and ended on July 21, 2011. Sligo Airport continues to serve as a base for the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter (Rescue 118) and general aviation, including aircraft such as Cessnas, Pipers, and Beechcraft. Sligo Aero Club, a registered training facility, also operates from the airport, offering private flight training, skydiving, and charity jumps.
The airport has a history of incidents involving aircraft overshooting or undershooting the runway due to its location on a peninsula less than 2 km long. In 2002, a Euroceltic Fokker F-27 aircraft carrying the band Aslan overshot the runway, with the nose of the aircraft ending up in the sea. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this incident.
Despite the lack of scheduled routes, Sligo Airport remains a popular destination for private flights and aviation enthusiasts. The airport is also known for its stunning scenery, as it is surrounded by the Wild Atlantic Way, one of Ireland's most famous coastal driving routes.
For those looking to travel to or from Sligo, the nearest major airport is Knock International Airport, which offers a range of flight options. Additionally, websites like Skyscanner and KAYAK offer tools to find the cheapest days and months to fly to Sligo Airport, although these flights may be less frequent and more tailored to flexible travellers or those seeking scenic routes.
Sligo Airport continues to play an important role in aviation in the region, especially for general aviation and coast guard operations, despite the absence of scheduled routes since 2011.
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Sligo Airport is home to the Sligo Aero Club
Sligo Airport is a small regional airport located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland. The airport has not had any scheduled routes since 2011, when its final flight to Dublin Airport took place. Despite this, Sligo Airport remains operational as a base for the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter (Rescue 118). Sligo Airport is also home to the Sligo Aero Club, a Registered Training Facility that offers introductory flights and pilot training courses. The club was formed in 1975 and has a proud history of providing expert and safe instruction. It provides an ideal environment for those interested in aviation to test their enthusiasm for flying, continue their training, or achieve their goal of becoming a recreational or professional pilot. Sligo Aero Club owns two aircraft, the Cessna 172 and 152, and the airport also accommodates a range of privately owned aircraft.
In addition to its role in pilot training and recreational flying, Sligo Airport has also experienced several notable incidents. In 2002, a Euroceltic Fokker F-27 aircraft carrying the band Aslan overshot the runway, resulting in the nose dipping into the sea. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this incident. Another similar incident occurred in 2003, when a Euroceltic aircraft overshot the runway and ended up in the sea due to a "fast, low approach". In this instance, the aircraft was declared a write-off due to saltwater damage.
Despite these challenges, Sligo Airport continues to serve the region and support the activities of the Sligo Aero Club. The club provides a valuable resource for aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts in the area. Sligo Aero Club is an excellent choice for those seeking to pursue their passion for aviation, offering a combination of experienced instructors, well-maintained aircraft, and a supportive environment.
The Sligo Aero Club is an integral part of Sligo Airport's operations, promoting aviation and providing essential training facilities for the region. While the airport itself does not have scheduled passenger flights, it remains a hub for general aviation, private flight training, skydiving, and charity jumps. The club's location at Sligo Airport offers members and students convenient access to modern facilities, including a full ATC and a terminal, enhancing their overall experience and contributing to the vibrant aviation community in the area.
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The airport is a base for the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter
Sligo Airport is a small regional airport located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland. Since 2011, when passenger flights ceased, the airport has served as a base for the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter (Rescue 118). Sligo Airport is the northwest base for the Irish Coast Guard, providing critical support for search and rescue operations in the region.
The Helicopter Search & Rescue Base at Sligo Airport has been operational since 2004, with CHC Ireland providing 24-hour search and rescue services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. The Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, which replaced the S-61 on July 1, 2013, is always ready for action, crewed by a team of four and maintained by engineers and dedicated airport staff. Sligo Airport's base is the most northerly in Ireland, facing the challenges posed by the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged clifftop environment along the north-west coast.
The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 118 is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and handles a variety of incidents. The crew is often dispatched to rescue casualties from remote rural areas in the west of Ireland, providing swift transportation to hospitals. The base's proximity to the coast and its aircraft's capabilities enable them to perform rescues from the numerous islands off the west coast and within Northern Ireland.
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) coordinates search and rescue operations through its Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin. Sligo Airport's location ensures that the helicopter can reach incidents quickly, especially in the west of Ireland, where transfer times to hospitals are significantly reduced. The IRCG also has contracts with private companies for Sikorsky Search and Rescue helicopters operating from Dublin, Waterford, Shannon, and Sligo bases, ensuring comprehensive coverage and rapid response capabilities across the country.
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A Euroceltic Fokker F-27 aircraft overran the runway in 2002
Sligo Airport is a small regional airport located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland. The airport has not had any scheduled routes since 2011, when its last scheduled route to Dublin Airport was operated by Aer Arann.
On November 2, 2002, a Euroceltic Fokker F-27 aircraft was coming in to land after a routine flight from Dublin. The aircraft, registered G-ECAT, overran the runway and came to rest with its nose in the sea and its main landing gear on an embankment. Fortunately, all passengers were evacuated safely, and there were no reported casualties. However, the aircraft was declared a write-off by the company two weeks later due to saltwater damage to the cockpit.
The cause of the accident was attributed to a "fast, low approach," which resulted in the aircraft landing beyond the normal touchdown point, making it impossible to stop within the remaining runway available. The pilot, who had been placed under restrictions following a CAA audit of Euroceltic, was being coached by the chief pilot during the landing.
This incident highlights the challenges associated with operating within the limited space available at Sligo Airport. The peninsula upon which the airport is situated is less than 2 km long, providing a narrow margin for errors during takeoff and landing.
Since the end of passenger flights in 2011, Sligo Airport has continued to serve as a base for the Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter, known as Rescue 118. The airport also accommodates general aviation, including aircraft such as Cessnas, Pipers, and Beechcraft.
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Flights to Sligo from the United States
Sligo Airport (IATA: SXL, ICAO: EISG) is a small regional airport located in Strandhill, County Sligo, Ireland. The airport has not had any scheduled routes since 2011, when it lost its only scheduled route to Dublin Airport.
Despite this, it is still possible to fly into Sligo Airport from the United States. Most visitors travel to Sligo via Knock, and there are several airlines offering flights to Sligo from different regions of the United States.
For example, according to KAYAK, you can find flights to Sligo from Newark from $328, from New York from $352, and from Chicago from $521. These prices are for one-way tickets and are not guaranteed, but they can be a good starting point for finding flights to Sligo.
Additionally, Google Flights suggests some of the cheapest options for flights from popular cities in the United States. For example, you can fly with Scandinavian Airlines from Chicago from $496, or from Los Angeles from $504. You can also find flights with Aer Lingus from Seattle, starting at $462, or from New York, starting at $357. These prices are for round-trip flights and are based on the cheapest options available in the next 3 months.
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Frequently asked questions
Sligo Airport has had no scheduled routes since 2011, so you cannot fly directly from the airport. However, you can still fly to Sligo Airport for private flight training, skydiving, and charity jumps.
Before 2011, Aer Arann operated a route to Dublin Airport twice daily. Until the end of 2008, Aer Arann also operated flights to Manchester Airport.
Sligo is served by Knock International Airport.
You can use websites like Skyscanner, KAYAK, and Expedia to find flights to Sligo.
Some airlines that have flown to Sligo include Euroceltic Airways, Avair, and British Airways.
