- Record 2.3 million passengers in 2025, highest in 16 years and 9pc up on 2024.
- 40 routes planned for 2026 with five new summer services.
- Over 40 million euro investment in infrastructure and sustainability upgrades.
- Completion of solar PV farm, parking expansion, and new business park units.
- Awards recognition and community initiatives including charity fundraising.
Shannon Airport posted a record year in 2025 with more than 2.3m passengers handled, marking strong performance in transatlantic and European routes.
This milestone highlights the airport’s role in supporting regional tourism and connectivity. Growth was driven by increased services and demand recovery. The achievement bolsters confidence for further expansion in 2026. It underscores Shannon’s importance to Ireland’s aviation and visitor economy.
The figure was the highest in 16 years and a 9pc increase from 2024. Passenger growth resulted from new routes, expanded services, and major investments during the year. The airport will operate 40 routes in 2026 to destinations in Europe, the US, and the UK. Five new summer routes include Rome, Warsaw, Madrid, and Poznan with Ryanair, plus Frankfurt with Discover Airlines. Plans exist for over 40 million euro in investment this year, covering upgrades to immigration and baggage halls, taxiways, and a thermal wrap on the arrivals area.
Ryanair added a fourth based aircraft at Shannon, representing an additional investment in the region, and introduced new destinations such as Madeira, Lapland, and Madrid while increasing frequencies on over 10 routes. Sustainability projects completed in 2025 included Ireland’s first airfield solar PV farm, generating up to 20pc of the airport’s electricity needs, plus 1,000 new car parking spaces bringing the total to over 5,600. The group developed over a million square feet of space in the past decade and will construct two new industrial units at Shannon Airport Business Park in 2026. Frontier Scientific Solutions launched the world’s first dedicated life science air corridor between the EU and the US via Shannon. The year marked 80 years since the first transatlantic commercial flight landed at Shannon in 1945.
The group received awards including first place in the Red C Brand Reaction Index for Irish airports, the Operational Excellence Award at the Aviation Industry Awards, and the Environment and Biodiversity category at the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards. Community efforts included raising 500,000 euro for charities over the past decade and welcoming Irish Olympian Sharlene Mawdsley as an Airport Ambassador. Support extended to the Munster Rugby Women’s Team. The airport’s role in tourism, trade, and economic growth remains central to its operations.
Ray O’Driscoll shared “2025 was a really positive year for The Shannon Airport Group. We achieved our highest passenger numbers in over 16 years and invested over €20 million in projects that have a very tangible benefit to both passengers and our sustainability goals. This brought our overall investment in the Group to almost €200 million in just over a decade. We’re looking forward to an even more ambitious 2026, during which passengers will have the choice of 40 routes, the highest number operating from Shannon Airport in 17 years.”
“We are far more than just an airport, and we are proud of the role The Shannon Airport Group plays in driving tourism, trade and economic growth. Our success to date is built on the dedication of our team, together with the loyalty and trust of our passengers and business partners. As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we remain committed to delivering the excellent customer experience that we are known for, expanding our route network, and continuing our investment in sustainability and infrastructure as we strive to be best-in-class. Thank you to everyone who made 2025 such a standout year and we look forward to working together to achieve even more in 2026.”
