AS IT celebrates a decade since its establishment, the Shannon Airport Group is in high spirits as it prepares for the first year since 2009 that Shannon Airport has handled over two million passengers.
During the past ten years, over €178 million has been invested in upgrades across Shannon Airport and Shannon Commercial Properties.
An independent report* on The Shannon Airport Group, published by Oxford Economics in 2023 found that the Group annually contributes almost €4 billion to Ireland’s GDP, while supporting over 20,300 jobs and contributing €643 million in tax revenues.
Shannon Airport which operates to 33 destinations across Europe, the UK and the US, has been boosted considerably by Delta Air Lines new service to New York-JFK which began earlier this summer, as well as additional frequency on nine of its most popular summer sun destinations, including Alicante, Faro and Lanzarote. Shannon remains the only airport along the Wild Atlantic Way route to offer transatlantic flights to New York, Newark, Boston and Chicago. Additional capacity has been added on many of the popular routes for Winter ’24/’25.
With a proud history of innovation stretching back to the days of the late Dr Brendan O’Regan, the efforts still continue at Shannon Airport to record world firsts. In 2017, Shannon became the first airport in Europe to open a sensory room for passengers with additional and neurodivergent needs. Shannon is also one of the first airports in the world to receive Age Friendly Status from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its commitment to making travel as inclusive as possible for people of all ages.
Shannon remains one of only two airports in Europe to offer Preclearance to US-bound passengers, while the introduction of a new Mobile Passport Control app (MPC) in February of this year, has further streamlined this process with passengers now able to complete part of the preclearance process prior to their arrival at Shannon Airport.
To support the Government’s goal of a balanced regional economy, Shannon Airport is viewed as crucial to rebalance Ireland’s aviation landscape, having capacity to ease congestion at Dublin Airport and enhancing connectivity.
Over the past ten years, The Shannon Airport Group’s commercial property business has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying its reputation as a premier hub for a variety of industries. Central to this success is the Shannon Airport Business Park, located on the expansive Shannon Campus.
As the largest multi-sectoral business park outside of Dublin, the Business Park is a thriving ecosystem that hosts over 300 companies. These businesses represent a wide range of industries, including life sciences, aviation, autonomous vehicles, engineering and medical devices. Collectively, they employ more than 10,000 professionals who are at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement.
Future expansion is planned with the business park set to remain a cornerstone of the region’s economic development, fostering collaboration and growth.
Dedicated to building a brighter, greener future for both people and the planet, The Shannon Airport Group recognises the critical importance of reducing its environmental impact. Committed to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050 at the latest, the Group is actively working with ESB to explore the potential for a green hydrogen facility in Shannon.
Recently, The Shannon Airport Group was granted planning permission for a 1.2MW Photovoltaic Solar Farm on a 5.5-acre site within the airfield at Shannon Airport. This innovative project will make Shannon Airport home to Ireland’s first solar farm located within an airfield, which is expected to provide up to 15-20% of the airport’s current electrical demand from renewable energy upon completion. The Shannon Airport Group’s sustainability efforts are also deeply embedded in its extensive commercial property portfolio.
On the 5th of September 2014, Shannon Airport, Shannon Commercial Properties and Shannon Heritage were successfully incorporated under the Shannon Group banner, later rebranded in 2022 as The Shannon Airport Group. Last year, the ownership of the Shannon Heritage sites were transferred to Clare County Council where they have since thrived.
Welcoming the tenth anniversary, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said: “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Shannon Airport Group, we reflect with immense pride on our progress and achievements over the past decade. From the significant growth at Shannon Airport, with this year set to be the busiest year at the airport since 2009, to investing over €178 million in infrastructure and property upgrades, we are very proud of our journey to date”.
She continued, “We are more than just an airport, we are driving tourism, trade and economic growth. The economic impact of the Group was nearly €4 billion according to the most recent report by Oxford Economics, while we also support 20,300 jobs in the Midwest, underscoring the significant role we play in driving the region forward. This success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible team, our valued customers, our dedicated partners, Government and all the other stakeholders who have supported our journey. This spirit of collaboration has been the foundation of our success, and I wish to extend my gratitude to everyone who has played a part in our story so far.
“Looking to the future, we are more committed than ever to continuing our legacy of innovation, sustainability, and economic development, ensuring a brighter, greener future for the Midwest region and beyond,” Considine concluded.
