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Shannon Airport is an international airport located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is named after the nearby River Shannon and is adjacent to the Shannon Estuary. The airport is located halfway between Ennis and Limerick, with Limerick being the nearest city, just 15 miles south of the airport. With almost 2 million passengers in 2023, Shannon Airport is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | County Clare, Ireland |
| Nearby cities | Limerick, Ennis |
| Distance from nearby cities | 15 miles from Limerick, 15 miles from Ennis |
| Year of opening | 1942 |
| Number of passengers in 2018 | 1,864,762 |
| Number of passengers in 2023 | 2 million |
| Runway length | 3,200 metres (2 miles) |
| Services | Car hire, restaurants, bars, shops, executive lounge, duty-free shop, free WiFi |
| Other facilities | 5 long-term car parks with over 3,500 spaces, short-term car park, shopping centre, Skycourt development |
| Special features | First airport in the world to open a sensory room for passengers with autism or special needs, US border preclearance |
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What You'll Learn
Shannon Airport is in County Clare, Ireland
Shannon Airport (Irish: Aerfort na Sionainne) is an international airport located in County Clare, Ireland. It is one of Ireland's main international airports and is a gateway for flights to Ireland from the United States and several European destinations. The airport is located on the west coast of Ireland, adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, and lies halfway between Ennis and Limerick.
Shannon Airport has a long history and association with transatlantic flight. The airport was built in the late 1930s, with the first commercial flight taking place in 1939. By 1942, the airport was officially named Shannon Airport, and it became the world's first duty-free airport in 1947. Today, Shannon Airport is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, serving almost 2 million passengers in 2023.
The airport is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere and offers a range of facilities for travellers. There are several restaurants, bars, and shops within the terminal, as well as free WiFi throughout. Shannon Airport also has a variety of parking options, with both short-term and long-term parking available, and car rental services can be found in the arrivals hall.
Due to its location and lengthy runway, the longest in Ireland, Shannon Airport has been a designated alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle. The airport has also had a history of foreign military use, with a significant portion of its business in recent years coming from military stopovers, particularly from the United States.
Shannon Airport is an ideal arrival airport for those looking to tour the west coast of Ireland during their vacation. It provides easy access to nearby cities such as Limerick and Ennis and is well-connected to other destinations in Ireland through private coaches, buses, and taxis.
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It's near Limerick, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ennis and the River Shannon
Shannon Airport (SNN) is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is named after the nearby River Shannon and is situated halfway between Ennis and Limerick, close to Newmarket-on-Fergus. The airport is 15 miles north of Ennis and 15 miles south of Limerick. Newmarket-on-Fergus is also nearby, and the town has recently benefited from a bypass to reduce traffic.
Shannon Airport is the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland and the fifth busiest on the island. It is also Ireland's second-largest long-haul airport and the only one outside of the capital offering direct flights to the UK, mainland Europe, and the US. The airport is a popular gateway for transatlantic flights, with the longest runway in Ireland at 3,200 metres. This was extended in 1945 to allow for transatlantic flights.
The airport is also the most westerly international airport in Europe and has a long history of military use. It has been used frequently by the US military and, until the 1990s, the Soviet military. The airport is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with various restaurants, bars, shops, and free WiFi throughout the terminal. Shannon Airport was also the site of the world's first duty-free shop, established in 1947.
The town of Shannon was built to accommodate those working at the airport and is home to almost 10,000 people. The airport has brought considerable wealth to the area, and the town has been revamped in recent years to cater to the increasing number of visitors.
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Shannon is Ireland's second-largest long-haul airport
Shannon Airport, located in County Clare, Ireland, is the country's second-largest long-haul airport. It is named after the River Shannon, which flows nearby. The airport is situated on the west coast of Ireland, adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, halfway between the cities of Ennis and Limerick. It is the closest international airport to Limerick City, making it an ideal gateway for travellers looking to explore the west coast of Ireland.
Shannon Airport has a long history associated with transatlantic flights. Its location on the west coast of Ireland and its status as the most westerly international airport in Europe have contributed to its significance in transatlantic aviation. The airport was established in the late 1930s, and the first commercial flight took place in 1939. Shannon Airport became a crucial refuelling stop for many transatlantic carriers by the 1960s.
The airport boasts Ireland's longest runway, spanning 3.2 kilometres (2 miles). This length allowed Shannon Airport to be designated as an alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle. The runway was extended after World War II specifically to accommodate transatlantic flights, as the first Air Services Agreement between Ireland and the United States in 1945 permitted US airlines to serve only Shannon.
Shannon Airport has a rich history of foreign military use. While a significant portion of its business in recent years has been military stopovers, mostly by the American military, the airport was also frequently used by the Soviet military until the 1990s. This non-NATO country's neutral stance offered a strategic location for the USSR, and Shannon Airport became a hub for Aeroflot operations in the mid-1990s, with flights to several destinations in the United States.
The airport is accessible via various transportation options. Car rental services are available at the airport, and it offers both short-term and long-term parking options. For those travelling by bus, private-hire coaches and buses can be pre-booked to transport passengers to any destination in Ireland. While there is currently no direct rail link to the airport, the nearest major train stations are Ennis and Limerick, which can be accessed by bus or taxi from Shannon Airport.
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It has full US customs pre-clearance
Shannon Airport (SNN) is an international airport located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is named after the nearby River Shannon and is situated halfway between Ennis and Limerick.
Shannon Airport has a long history of serving transatlantic flights. It was the first airport in Europe to offer US border preclearance facilities, which were introduced in 1986. Today, Shannon Airport provides full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance services for both commercial and private flights. This means that passengers travelling to the US can complete all the necessary immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at Shannon Airport, allowing for a faster and more seamless arrival in the US.
The CBP pre-clearance process at Shannon Airport is available for private non-revenue and charter (non-scheduled commercial) flights. It is important to note that CBP pre-clearance is not available for cargo, government, diplomatic, or military flights. After completing the pre-clearance process at Shannon, passengers can proceed to any of the approximately 200 approved airports in the US that accept inbound flights from CBP pre-clearance airports. This list of approved airports continues to grow, offering more options for travellers.
The US pre-clearance service at Shannon Airport offers several benefits for operators and passengers alike. Firstly, it simplifies the travel process by allowing passengers to check their bags through to their final destination in the US, avoiding the need to clear customs upon arrival in the US. This results in reduced connection times for passengers travelling onwards within the US. Additionally, pre-clearing in Shannon can be advantageous in terms of time and simplicity, especially for operators travelling from Europe to the US.
Shannon Airport has a dedicated Aviation Development Team that can assist airlines in developing direct routes from Ireland to the US or one-stop connections via Shannon. The airport has also established the Shannon Private Aircraft Program, which provides detailed information and support for private aircraft operators looking to utilise the US pre-clearance services.
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Shannon Airport is friendly and welcoming, with good facilities
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland, and is one of the country's main international airports. It is adjacent to the Shannon Estuary, halfway between Ennis and Limerick.
The airport offers good transport facilities, with five car rental firms operating on-site, and over 5,000 parking spaces available across short-term and long-term car parks. Private-hire coaches and buses are also available, which need to be pre-booked. For those travelling with children, there are baby care facilities, a children's play area, and a sensory room located airside on the first floor.
Shannon Airport also has a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as duty-free shopping. There are also essential travel goods available, such as newsagents and gift shops, and financial services like ATMs, currency exchange, and full banking facilities. Free WiFi is available throughout the airport, and there are fixed computers offering broadband internet access in the on-site newsagents.
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Frequently asked questions
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It is named after the River Shannon, which is close by.
The town of Shannon is the closest to the airport. It was built to accommodate those working at the airport and in the nearby industrial estate.
Limerick and Ennis are both around 15 miles from Shannon Airport, with Limerick to the south and Ennis to the north.
Shannon Airport was built in the late 1930s and the first commercial flight took place in 1939. It became the first duty-free airport in the world in 1947. The airport has a long association with transatlantic flight and was a designated alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle.
Shannon Airport has several restaurants, bars, shops, and executive lounges. It also offers free WiFi throughout the terminal.
