Owais Crawford
Ireland has a large number of commercial airports relative to its population. The island of Ireland has 14 airports with airline service for a total population of 6,789,000 people. Northern Ireland has three airports for 1.9 million people, while the Republic of Ireland has 11 airports for a population of 4.9 million people. This abundance of airports means that residents do not have to travel far to reach an airport, which is convenient for travellers. Airports also have economic benefits, making areas more attractive for businesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Ireland | 14 |
| Number of airports in Northern Ireland | 3 |
| Number of airports in the Republic of Ireland | 11 |
| Population of Northern Ireland | 1.885 million |
| Population of the Republic of Ireland | 4.904 million |
| Population of the island of Ireland | 6,789,000 |
| Number of airports in the south of Ireland | 7 |
| Number of international airports in Ireland | 5 |
| Number of passengers at Donegal Airport in 2022 | 36,934 |
| Number of passengers at Kerry Airport in 2022 | 356,000 |
| Number of passengers at Knock Airport in 2022 | 722,000 |
| Number of passengers at George Best Belfast City Airport in 2022 | 1.65 million |
| Number of passengers at Cork Airport in 2022 | 2.2 million |
| Number of passengers at unnamed airport in 2022 | 163,130 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The number of Irish airports relative to the population
Ireland has a total of 14 airports with airline service. The island is divided into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has a population of 1.885 million and three airports, while the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4.904 million and 11 airports. This means that Northern Ireland has one airport for every 628,000 people, while the Republic of Ireland has one airport for every 445,000 people. Overall, this means that Ireland has one airport for every 484,000 people.
The Republic of Ireland's capital, Dublin, is home to the country's largest airport, which was the 13th busiest airport in Europe in 2018. Cork, Shannon, and Knock are the country's other three main airports. Smaller regional airports can be found in Donegal, Kerry, Galway, Sligo, and Waterford, although the latter three do not have any scheduled flights as of July 2019.
The high number of airports in Ireland relative to its population may be surprising, especially considering that Dublin and, to a lesser extent, Shannon are the only facilities offering flights outside of Europe. This means that people from all over the island travel to these airports, and it could be argued that some of the smaller airports could be closed. However, having a local airport is convenient for many, and airports can also make areas more attractive for businesses.
The proximity of some airports is notable. For example, Belfast City and Belfast International are only 22.5 kilometres (14 miles) apart, while Kerry Airport is 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Shannon Airport and 97 kilometres (50 miles) from Cork Airport.
Exploring Greenland's Aviation: A Network of Airports
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The benefits of having an airport nearby
While there may be drawbacks to living near an airport, there are also several benefits. For frequent flyers, the most significant advantage is the convenience of rapid access to national and international travel. This ease of access can save valuable time and reduce travel-associated stress. Moreover, properties near airports tend to appreciate over time. As cities expand, these areas become more desirable due to improved connectivity and enhanced infrastructure, including better roads and public transportation options.
Airports are economic powerhouses, generating numerous jobs and boosting local economies. They attract a wide range of companies and industries, from hospitality and retail to transportation and logistics. For example, Heathrow in London is the UK's largest employment site, with over 76,500 employees across 400 companies. Two-thirds of the UK's top 300 companies are within a 25-mile radius of Heathrow, creating a dynamic job market for the surrounding communities.
Living near an airport can also provide strategic advantages in emergency situations. Airports are critical logistical factors in any city, serving as operational bases for emergency response teams, including medical air ambulances, fire services, and disaster relief units. In the event of a city-wide power outage, the region near the airport is likely to be the last to lose power and the first to recover.
Additionally, airports often have a variety of commercial establishments nearby, such as malls, restaurants, and hotels. This can enhance the lifestyle of residents, providing convenient access to shopping, dining, and accommodation options. However, it is important to carefully consider the potential drawbacks, such as noise pollution, air quality, and higher property prices, before deciding to live near an airport.
Airports Galore: Which Country Has the Most?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The busiest airports in Ireland
Ireland has 14 airports with airline services, which is quite a lot considering the population of the island is only around 6.7 million people. The country's four main airports are Cork, Dublin, Shannon, and Knock (Ireland West Airport Knock). Dublin Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Ireland and was the 13th busiest airport in Europe in 2018. In 2024, over 34.6 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the busiest year on record. Dublin Airport is also a significant transatlantic hub, with numerous flights to the USA and the only airport in Europe besides Shannon Airport to offer US preclearance services for US-bound passengers.
Dublin Airport is located 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin and is served by 28 airlines offering flights to and from 144 destinations. The airport has an extensive short and medium-haul network, as well as a significant long-haul network focused on North America and the Middle East. It serves as a hub for Ireland's flag carrier, Aer Lingus, and is the home base for Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair.
Cork Airport is located just south of Cork City on the south coast of Ireland. It is one of the busiest airports in the country and is well-connected to Europe. Shannon Airport, located north of Limerick City on the west coast, is another one of Ireland's busiest airports and offers transatlantic flights. Like Dublin Airport, it also offers US preclearance services.
Knock Airport (Ireland West Airport Knock) is located in County Mayo in the northwest of Ireland. It is one of the smaller main airports in the country and offers flights to several destinations, including Dublin, Berlin-Schonfield, Frankfurt Hahn, London-Luton, and London-Stansted.
Airports in Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airports in the Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has a total of 11 airports, serving a population of 4.9 million people. The capital, Dublin, is served by Dublin Airport, located north of the city on the east coast. It is one of only two airports in the country offering flights outside of Europe, the other being Shannon Airport, which is north of Limerick City on the west coast. Shannon is also one of the closest airports to Kerry Airport, which is 70km away. Cork Airport, the second-largest international airport in the Republic of Ireland, is located 6.5km south of Cork City and is 97km from Kerry Airport.
Ireland West Airport Knock, in County Mayo in the northwest of the country, is another international airport, though direct transfer is not possible. The airport is 5.6km southwest of Charlestown, with the village of Knock 20km away. Sligo Airport, a small regional airport with no scheduled routes, is located in County Sligo, 5 miles west of Sligo town.
The proximity of these airports to one another is notable, with relatively short distances between them. For example, Cork and Shannon airports are only 100km apart, and Shannon is 194km from Dublin Airport. This concentration of airports in the Republic of Ireland provides convenient travel options for both locals and visitors, allowing for efficient travel within the country and connections to the rest of the world.
West Palm Beach Airport: A Traveler's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airports in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, has Belfast as its capital city and a population of 1.885 million people. The region has three airports serving its population: Belfast City (BHD), Belfast International (BFS), and the City of Derry Airport (LDY). These airports are quite close to one another, with Belfast City and Belfast International less than half an hour's drive apart, and Derry Airport just under 1.5 hours from Belfast International by car.
The Aviation Policy Framework outlines the UK government's policy to enable the aviation sector to contribute significantly to economic growth across the country, including Northern Ireland. This framework guides the Airports Commission in addressing critical issues like aircraft noise and climate change. Airports are economically beneficial, making areas more attractive for businesses.
When planning travel to Northern Ireland, it is worth noting that you can fly into one airport and out of another, maximising your exploration of the region. For example, you could fly into Belfast Airport, located west of the city in the northeast, and depart from City of Derry Airport in the northwest.
The proximity of these airports to each other and their relatively short distances from one another and from the Republic of Ireland's airports may be a factor in why there are so many Irish airports serving a relatively small population.
London's Air Travel: Airports and Their Significance
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Ireland has 14 airports with airline service, with 5 international airports in the Republic of Ireland (Shannon, Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Knock) and 3 in Northern Ireland (Belfast City, Derry City, and Belfast International). This is to cater to the high volume of tourists visiting the country each year.
Irish airports are located relatively close to each other. For example, in the Republic of Ireland, Kerry Airport is 70km from Shannon Airport and 97km from Cork Airport. In Northern Ireland, Belfast City and Belfast International are 22.5km apart, and Belfast International and City of Derry Airport are 74km apart.
Dublin Airport is the largest and busiest international airport in Ireland, located 10km north of Dublin city centre. Cork Airport is the second-largest international airport, offering more routes than any other airport outside of Dublin. Belfast International Airport is the busiest airport in Northern Ireland and the second busiest on the island of Ireland after Dublin.
Donegal Airport has been named one of the most picturesque airports in the world, offering stunning views of Carrickfinn Beach during landing. Connemara Airport is also unique as it serves as a gateway to the Aran Islands, providing a landing experience unlike any other.
