Major passenger boost for Shannon Airport this Easter as new flights take off

SHANNON Airport expects a busy Easter, with over 100,000 travellers expected to pass through its terminals. The figure is forecast at 132,000, a 7% increase on the same period in 2025.

This week, Shannon Airport is launching its Summer 2026 schedule, featuring 38 routes across 11 countries and adding 200,000 seats, bringing the airport’s total summer capacity to two million, an 11% increase on last summer.

The 2026 Summer schedule includes five new flights from Shannon to Rome, Warsaw, Poznan, and Madrid with Ryanair, and Frankfurt with Discover Airlines.

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Ryanair has also increased frequencies on several established routes from Shannon, including Manchester, Alicante, Barcelona‑Reus, Lanzarote, and Malta.

Ray O’Driscoll, Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said the forecast reflects the “consistent growth we’ve experienced since the beginning of the year,” adding that demand remains strong as people take full advantage of the school holidays and the expanded network.

Shannon Airport’s transatlantic offering is also set to expand this summer, with increased frequency on the Aer Lingus Boston service boosting total transatlantic capacity to more than 350,000 seats, the airport’s highest level since 2018.

The US network now includes five services: Boston and New York–JFK with Aer Lingus; Newark and Chicago with United Airlines; and New York–JFK with Delta Air Lines.

In addition, Aer Lingus has added an extra weekly summer flight on its Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) route, providing a further 9,200 seats for travellers.

Commenting on the broader summer programme, Mr O’Driscoll said the 2026 schedule is “among the most dynamic we’ve offered in many years. The range of destinations, increased frequencies, and improved connectivity reflect the strength of our airline partnerships and the confidence carriers have in the region.”

“Our team is ready to ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience for passengers travelling this Easter and throughout the summer, and we look forward to welcoming them all,” he added.

This week also saw the inaugural departures of Shannon Airport’s new Summer 2026 Ryanair routes, with flights to Warsaw taking off Monday, March 30, followed by Rome and Poznan on Tuesday, March 31.

Full details of Shannon Airport’s destinations, services, and flight schedules are available at www.shannonairport.ie or on the Shannon Airport App.