Owais Crawford
Shannon Airport (SNN) is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is named after the River Shannon, which is close by, and is the country's first transatlantic international airport. It is 15 miles from Limerick, which is the nearest major town, and 15 miles from Ennis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | County Clare, Ireland |
| Nearest cities | Limerick (15 miles south), Ennis (15 miles north) |
| Year opened | 1942 |
| Number of passengers | 3.8 million per year |
| Runway length | 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) |
| Airlines | Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Lauda, British Airways, SAS |
| Destinations | New York, Newark, Chicago, Paris, London, Fuerteventura, Bristol, Lanzarote, Alicante, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and more |
| Car parks | 5 long-term car parks with over 3,500 spaces |
| Unique features | World's first duty-free airport, US Border preclearance, free WiFi |
What You'll Learn
Shannon Airport is in County Clare, Ireland
Shannon Airport was built in the late 1930s, with the first commercial flight taking place in 1939. It became Ireland's first transatlantic international airport in 1945 and was named Shannon Airport in 1942. The airport was established to accommodate the growing number of transatlantic flights, as flying boats were being replaced by land planes. Shannon Airport has the longest runway in Ireland, at 3.2 kilometres, and was designated an alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle.
The airport is known for its ease of operation, low fuel prices, availability of pre-clearance to the United States, and the absence of value-added taxes. It is a popular choice for business aviation and has direct flights to the US, Europe, and the UK. Shannon Airport is also renowned for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, efficient operations, and convenient location for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way and attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head Peninsula.
Shannon Airport offers a range of facilities, including several restaurants, bars, and shopping options. It provides free WiFi throughout the terminal and has an executive lounge for passengers seeking a calm and comfortable waiting experience. The airport is easily accessible by road and is well-connected to nearby towns and cities.
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It is 15 miles from Limerick and 15 miles from Ennis
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland and the fifth busiest on the island, serving over 3.8 million passengers each year. The airport is 15 miles from Limerick, which is the nearest major town, and 15 miles from Ennis, the county capital.
Shannon Airport is easily accessible from Limerick and Ennis. It is the end destination of the N19 national route, which connects to the N18/M18 Limerick-Ennis-Galway route. A dual carriageway section of the N19 was completed in 2004, bypassing the town of Shannon. In 2007, a new interchange and dual carriageway north to Ennis were finished, improving access to and from the airport.
The airport is a convenient arrival point for those wishing to tour the west coast of Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head Peninsula. It is also an ideal place to pick up a rental car, as it is less busy than airports in larger cities. All the major car rental companies have desks in the main arrivals hall, and their cars are parked just outside the terminal.
Shannon Airport is also known for its shopping, including the world's first duty-free shop, established in 1947. The airport offers a wide range of products, from fragrances and designer accessories to gifts and souvenirs, all at duty-free prices. The Shannon Irish Design Store features a variety of items from up-and-coming artists to centuries-old craft companies.
In addition to its convenient location and shopping options, Shannon Airport provides full U.S. customs and immigration Border Control pre-clearance. This means that passengers travelling to the U.S. can check their bags through to their final destination and arrive in the U.S. as domestic arrivals, saving time and hassle.
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It is Ireland's first transatlantic airport
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, in the midwest of Ireland, 24km (15 miles) from Limerick, Ireland's third-largest city. It is named after the River Shannon, which flows nearby.
Shannon Airport is Ireland's first transatlantic airport, opening in 1945 to meet the demands of developing aircraft technology with a permanent runway. The airport was built in the late 1930s, with the first commercial flight taking place in 1939. However, it was not until 1945 that Shannon Airport became the landing point for the first transatlantic proving flight. This was a significant milestone, as it established Shannon Airport as Ireland's sole transatlantic gateway, meaning any North American-originating aircraft had to land at Shannon if they intended to visit Ireland. This became known as the "Shannon Stopover" rule.
Shannon Airport played a crucial role in transatlantic aviation during this era, as few aircraft could make the journey without refuelling at the airport. This made Shannon Airport a busy refuelling stop for many transatlantic carriers. The airport also had the longest runway in Ireland, which allowed it to be a designated alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle.
To capitalise on the international traffic, the Irish government established the world's first Customs Free Zone around the airport in 1947, including the opening of the world's first duty-free shop. This made Shannon Airport a pioneer in duty-free shopping, setting a model that would be followed by airports worldwide.
Shannon Airport continued to be a vital gateway for transatlantic flights, with Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, beginning transatlantic operations from Ireland in 1958 with a thrice-weekly Dublin-Shannon-Boston-New York route. In 1969, the Irish government established Aer Rianta to govern Ireland's three state airports: Dublin, Cork, and Shannon.
Shannon Airport has undergone various developments over the years, including the opening of a new terminal in 2000 and gaining independence from the Dublin Airport Authority in 2012. Today, the airport serves over 3.8 million passengers annually and remains an important international gateway for Ireland, offering both short-term and long-term parking and easy access to nearby cities such as Limerick and Ennis.
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It is one of Ireland's main international airports
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare in Ireland, adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, and halfway between Ennis and Limerick. It is one of Ireland's main international airports, serving as a gateway for flights to Ireland from the US and several European destinations.
Shannon Airport was Ireland's first transatlantic international airport, and it continues to be a significant hub for international travel. The airport is known for its ease of operation, low fuel prices, availability of pre-clearance to the United States, and the absence of value-added taxes. It is strategically located for transatlantic travel and is Europe's number one tech stop due to its long runway, which is the second longest in Europe, and its convenient facilities.
The airport offers a range of services and amenities for passengers, including several restaurants and bars, free WiFi, and shopping options such as the world's first duty-free shop, established in 1947. It is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, providing travellers with a taste of Irish hospitality during their journey.
Shannon Airport is easily accessible, with direct flights from the US, Europe, and the UK. It is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, including Limerick, Ennis, Newmarket-on-Fergus, and Galway, making it a convenient gateway to the west coast of Ireland and its many attractions, such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Loop Head Peninsula.
With its combination of efficient operations, passenger-friendly amenities, and strategic location, Shannon Airport plays a crucial role in international travel to and from Ireland, solidifying its position as one of the country's main international airports.
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It is named after the River Shannon
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland, and is named after the River Shannon, which flows close by. The airport is adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, and lies halfway between Ennis and Limerick, with Ennis approximately 15 miles north of the airport, and Limerick about 15 miles to the south. The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, and the airport's runway is the longest in the country, allowing it to be a designated alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle.
Shannon Airport was Ireland's first transatlantic international airport, and has been in operation since the late 1930s, with the first commercial flight taking place in 1939. The airport was built on a 3.1-square-kilometre site at Rineanna, on land that was originally boggy and required draining. Shannon was the landing point for the first transatlantic proving flight in 1945, and in 1947, it became the world's first duty-free airport.
The airport is an important gateway for flights to Ireland from the US and Europe, and is known for its ease of operation, low fuel prices, availability of pre-clearance to the US, and the absence of value-added taxes. It is the primary business aviation airport for Western Ireland, and is considered one of the best tech stops in Europe.
Shannon Airport is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, offering passengers a taste of Ireland upon arrival or departure. It provides a range of facilities, including several restaurants and bars, free WiFi, and shopping options such as the world's first duty-free shop.
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Frequently asked questions
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland.
Limerick is the nearest major city, located 14-15 miles south of the airport. Ennis, the county capital, is 15 miles north of the airport.
Shannon Airport was built in the late 1930s and the first commercial flight took place in 1939. It was named after the nearby River Shannon. In 1947, it became the world's first duty-free airport.
Shannon Airport offers free WiFi, several restaurants and bars, an executive lounge, and a variety of shops, including the world's first duty-free shop. There are also five long-term car parks with over 3,500 spaces, and car rental services are available.
