Shannon Airport sees an increase in demand for 2026 with more than 1 million passengers

Shannon Airport sees an increase in passengers for 2026. The increase of passengers travelling through the airport is thanks to the expanded route network, increased capacity and sustained demand for travel. Pictured are Carmel Hayes, Genereal Manager United Airlines Shannon, Captain Matthew Thomas, United Airlines from Maine USA, Niall Kearns, Airport Director of Shannon Airport and Declan Power, Head of Aviation Development Shannon Airport. Pic Arthur Ellis

Shannon Airport has welcomed more than 1.17 million passengers in the first half of 2026, a 12 % increase on the same period in 2025

Shannon Airport has seen an increase in passengers choosing to fly to and from the Midwest airport, with 1.17 million passengers using the airport in the first half of 2026.

The figure represents a 12 per cent increase on the same period in 2025, driven by an expanded route network, increased capacity and sustained demand for travel.

The airport also recorded its busiest day in 17 years on Sunday, June 28, when 11,400 passengers travelled through Shannon, reflecting strong peak-season demand, and 22 per cent more than the busiest day last year.

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Commenting on the performance, Ray O’Driscoll, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said, “Growth at Shannon Airport is being driven by real demand, supported by new routes and more choice for passengers, reflecting the confidence of our airline partners and the strength of the region as a tourism and business destination.

“Our focus now is on capitalising on this momentum by continuing to grow connectivity and deliver a high-quality experience for passengers travelling through Shannon.”

The result follows a strong performance in 2025, when Shannon Airport welcomed 2.3 million passengers.

Growth in 2026 has been driven by an enhanced route network, with 40 services now linking Shannon to destinations across Europe, the UK and the United States, the highest number in 17 years. With 2 million seats available, the airport’s Summer 2026 schedule is one of its most extensive in years.

New routes for 2026 include Rome, Warsaw, Poznań, and Madrid with Ryanair, and Frankfurt with new airline partner Discover Airlines.

2026 has also seen increased capacity on a range of popular routes, with additional frequencies to Manchester, Alicante, Barcelona Reus, Lanzarote and Malta with Ryanair. Transatlantic services have also expanded, most notably on Aer Lingus’ Boston route which has increased from 7 to 10 flights per week from May to July.

Shannon’s transatlantic network continues to form an important part of its overall connectivity, with direct services to New York (JFK), Newark, Boston and Chicago. These routes are operated by Aer Lingus (New York JFK and Boston), United Airlines (Chicago and New York JFK) and Delta Air Lines (New York JFK), offering over 420,000 seats via Shannon Airport in 2026 and supporting both tourism and business travel.

A key advantage for passengers travelling to the United States is Shannon’s US Preclearance facility, which allows travellers to complete immigration and customs before departure and arrive in the US as domestic passengers, saving time and enabling smoother onward connections.

The Shannon Airport Group continues to invest in infrastructure, sustainability and the passenger experience, with a multi-million-euro capital programme underway across the airport and the Shannon Airport Business Park.

Beyond aviation, the Group remains a major economic driver, with the Business Park to a thriving community of over 300 companies and more than 10,000 employees, contributing significantly to regional development.

As passenger numbers continue to grow, Shannon Airport’s role as a strategic international gateway and engine for economic activity remains increasingly important.