Owais Crawford
Ireland has a number of international airports, including Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Kerry, and Belfast International Airport. When planning a trip to Ireland, it is important to consider which airport to fly into as it will determine the first leg of your journey. Dublin Airport is the busiest airport in Ireland, located just 6 miles from the city centre, while Cork Airport is the second-largest airport in the country, offering more routes than any other airport outside of Dublin. Shannon Airport is also a popular option, particularly for transatlantic flights, and is known for its convenient location along the Wild Atlantic Way. For those seeking a more unique landing experience, Donegal Airport offers breathtaking views of Carrickfinn Beach, earning it the title of 'One of the most picturesque airports in the world'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main international airport in Ireland | Dublin Airport |
| Popular airports in Ireland | Shannon Airport, Cork Airport, Belfast International Airport, Kerry Airport, Donegal Airport, Connemara Airport, Ireland West Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport |
| Airlines flying to Ireland from North America | Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines Inc., Norwegian Air, United Airlines |
| Airlines flying to Ireland from the UK | Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional, British Airways, CityJet, Loganair, Flybe, Ryanair |
| Airlines flying to Ireland from Europe | Aer Lingus, Air France, CityJet, Eurowings, Finnair, Iberia, Icelandair, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian Air, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines |
| Airports in Northern Ireland | Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- Shannon Airport: a popular choice for transatlantic flights
- Dublin Airport: the busiest airport in Ireland
- Cork Airport: the second-busiest airport in Ireland
- Belfast International Airport: caters to international and domestic flights
- Kerry Airport: offers cheap flights to Irish and British destinations
Shannon Airport: a popular choice for transatlantic flights
Shannon Airport is one of the main airports in Ireland, located in County Clare and adjacent to the Shannon Estuary. It is one of the most popular choices for transatlantic flights due to its prime location on the west coast of Ireland, making it the most westerly international airport in Europe.
Shannon Airport has a long history of serving transatlantic air traffic, dating back to the 1930s when flying boats dominated such flights. In 1936, the Irish government announced plans to develop a site at Rineanna for the country's first transatlantic airport. The first commercial flight took place in 1939, and in 1945, Shannon welcomed the first transatlantic proving flight, a Pan Am DC-4. In 1947, Shannon became the world's first duty-free airport.
The airport's location makes it an ideal stopover for flights between North America and Europe. In the past, it was even mandated that 50% of transatlantic flights had to either originate or stop over in Shannon. Today, it is one of the few airports outside North America that offers US preclearance facilities, making it a convenient choice for travellers to the US.
In recent years, Shannon Airport has experienced a rebound in popularity, with almost 2 million passengers in 2023, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland. The airport is serviced by airlines such as Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport has also received accolades for its commitment to customer satisfaction, including the Aviation Customer Focus Achievement Award and the Best CX Team Award in the Transport category.
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Dublin Airport: the busiest airport in Ireland
Ireland has four main airports: Cork, Dublin, Shannon, and Knock. There are also smaller regional airports at Donegal, Kerry, Galway, Sligo, and Waterford. Dublin Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Ireland. It is situated just 6-7 miles (10 km) north of Dublin's city centre, on the east coast. The airport is located in Collinstown, about 3 km (1.9 mi) south of the town of Swords. In 2024, over 34.6 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the airport's busiest year on record. It is the 13th busiest airport in Europe and has the largest traffic levels on the island of Ireland.
Dublin Airport has an extensive short- and medium-haul flight network around Ireland and the UK. Some larger international airlines also operate direct flights to Dublin Airport from the Middle East, other parts of Europe, and the United States. In recent years, there has been an increased demand for flights to popular holiday spots in the Mediterranean and American shopping destinations like New York. The airport serves as a hub for Ireland's flag carrier, Aer Lingus, and is the home base for Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair.
The airport's history dates back to 1938 when construction began on the terminal building, which opened in early 1941. Due to World War II, services were restricted until late 1945. The inaugural flight from Dublin Airport took place on 19 January 1940, bound for Liverpool. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 operated by Aer Lingus.
Dublin Airport has played a significant role in Ireland's aviation industry and continues to be the primary gateway to the country for international travellers. Its convenient location, efficient facilities, and extensive flight network make it a preferred choice for those visiting Ireland.
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Cork Airport: the second-busiest airport in Ireland
Cork Airport is the second-busiest airport in Ireland, after Dublin Airport. It is located in Cork City, 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) south of the city centre in an area known as Farmers Cross, and 6 kilometres from Cork City. Cork Airport is Ireland's second-largest international airport, offering more choice of routes than any other airport outside of Dublin. It welcomed 2.2 million passengers in 2022, with nearly 2.5 million passengers annually. Cork Airport sees flights from over 45 destinations in Europe, with nine airlines flying to cities such as London Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol.
The airport was officially opened on 16 October 1961, following proving flights four days earlier by Aer Lingus and Cambrian Airways. Throughout the 1960s, the airport expanded with the arrival of more advanced aircraft and more destinations. The first jet, a British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet, landed at Cork Airport in 1964. By 1969, Aer Lingus was operating to London Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol. In 1975, the then state airports authority, Aer Rianta, undertook a passenger terminal study aimed at improving the terminal facilities.
In 1987, Ryanair commenced services at Cork Airport. The following year, Phase I of the Terminal Expansion and Development Plan was completed, with the main runway extension of 1,000 feet opened in 1990. Phase II of the terminal expansion was completed in 1991, with Phase III completed in 1992 and the plan brought to completion in 1994. A Great Southern Hotel was opened on the airport grounds in 2001, and a new terminal building was constructed in 2006.
Cork Airport is situated at an altitude of 153 metres (502 feet), and temperatures can often differ by a few degrees between the airport and Cork City. There is an average of 218 "rainy" days a year, with 80 days of "heavy rain". Cork is a generally foggy city, with an average of 97.8 days of fog a year. However, it is also one of Ireland's sunniest cities, with an average of 4.04 hours of sunshine every day.
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Belfast International Airport: caters to international and domestic flights
Ireland has several international airports, including Dublin, Shannon, Cork, and Kerry. However, Belfast International Airport (BFS) is the main airport for the city of Belfast and the second-largest gateway on the island of Ireland. It is located 13.2 miles (21.3 km) northwest of the city.
Belfast International Airport caters to both international and domestic flights. In 2024, it welcomed a record-breaking 6.7 million passengers, making it the busiest year in the airport's history. The airport offers flights to over 70 destinations, including European metropolitan and leisure destinations. The majority of flights from Belfast International are operated by easyJet, Northern Ireland's biggest airline. Other airlines that operate from the airport include Ryanair, Jet2, Jet2Holidays, TUI, and Thomas Cook.
The airport has undergone several upgrades and developments over the years. In the 1970s and 1980s, improvements were made to runways, taxiways, and parking aprons, and a new International Pier was constructed. The airport was privatised in 1994 and has changed ownership several times since then, most recently being acquired by Vinci Airports in 2018.
Belfast International Airport has a diverse network of destinations and is well-connected to other parts of the world. In addition to its international routes, the airport also serves domestic and regional destinations within the United Kingdom, such as London-Luton and London-Heathrow. The airport has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence, enabling public transport flights and flying instruction.
The airport is committed to sustainability and has reached Level 3 'Optimisation' in the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. It also prioritises the passenger experience, as evidenced by the recent unveiling of a new Security Hall with advanced technology to streamline passenger journeys.
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Kerry Airport: offers cheap flights to Irish and British destinations
Ireland has several international airports, including Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Belfast, and Kerry. Dublin Airport is the busiest airport in Ireland, with Cork Airport being the second busiest.
Kerry Airport, also known as Farranfore Airport, is located in Farranfore, just under 13 km from Killarney. It is a convenient option for those landing in Dublin and looking to get to the Wild Atlantic Way as soon as possible. The airport is small and has limited entertainment options, but it does have a gift shop and a restaurant. Ryanair offers direct flights to Kerry Airport from London-Stansted and London-Luton, with tickets starting at £14.99 or €19.99. Skyscanner also offers tickets from £19 return. The average flight time to Kerry from London is 1 hour and 22 minutes.
County Kerry, located in the southwest of Ireland, is known for its stunning natural scenery, including its rugged coastline, pristine forests, and sandy beaches. The Dingle Peninsula, in particular, is renowned for its dramatic landscapes of steep cliffs and sandy beaches. The Ring of Kerry tourist route is a popular way to experience the region's picturesque scenery, as are the Kerry Way, Dingle Way, and Beara Way walking routes. Killarney National Park is another highlight of the region, known for its pristine forests and the impressive Torc Waterfall at the base of Torc Mountain.
In addition to Kerry Airport, there are several other airports in Ireland that offer cheap flights to Irish and British destinations. For example, Shannon Airport is located along the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland and offers flights from across the UK and Europe. Cork Airport, the second-largest international airport in Ireland, offers flights from London-Stansted and other European cities, with tickets provided by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. The City of Derry Airport offers direct flights to several cities in the UK, including London, Manchester, and Glasgow, as well as connections to the UAE, Australia, and America via Manchester and Glasgow.
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Frequently asked questions
Belfast International Airport is the main airport in Northern Ireland. It is located centrally within Northern Ireland and is well-connected by road and rail.
The main airport in the Republic of Ireland is Dublin Airport. It is the busiest airport in the country, located just 6 miles (10km) from Dublin city centre.
Shannon Airport is the closest airport to the west of Ireland. It is also one of the few airports outside North America that offers US preclearance facilities.
Cork Airport is the gateway to the south of Ireland. It is just 6km from Cork City and is noted for the punctuality of its flights.
Connemara Airport is the best airport to land in if you want to go to the Aran Islands. It is one of the smaller Irish airports, located 28km outside of Galway City Centre.
