Mary Considine, Shannon Airport’s CEO, has projected that the facility will welcome two million passengers in 2024, marking a first in 15 years. Data from the company’s annual review highlighted that the total passenger count last year reached close to two million (1.959 million), showing a 29% increament from 2022.
Since 2009, Shannon has not seen such a large crowd, but the unprecedented passenger growth in 2023 surpassed the predictions, Considine claimed. For the first quarter of the same year, there was a rise of 12% in passenger numbers compared to the similar period in 2023.
Evident passenger traffic growth was noted across all major markets including Britain, Europe, and the US during the last year. It’s worth noting that Shannon is the only non-Dublin airport in the Republic offering routes across the Atlantic.
Mary Considine pointed out an upswing in the market after the pandemic restrictions were lifted. The introduction of a daily flight route to Chicago by United Airlines last year assisted in boosting transatlantic numbers, she reflected.
In addition, Ryanair introduced new routes, such as Naples and Porto, expanded seating allocations on existing flights, whilst Aer Lingus initiated flight services to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport.
Meanwhile, Shannon Airport’s revenue grew by 12% in 2023, reaching €68 million, with pre-tax profits before interest, tax, and write-offs surging 27% to settle at €21 million.
The annual report further revealed that the airport took advantage of the financial aid provided by the State’s Regional Airports Programme. This funding allowed Shannon to execute vital safety and security initiatives throughout the year.