The UK delivered the biggest increase in passenger numbers of any of Shannon Airport’s markets in the first half of 2016.
Figures released today by Shannon Group confirmed that passenger numbers show that UK market, including London services, was up by 9% to 362,242 from January to the end of June compared to the same period last year.
Overall, passenger numbers were up 4% to 791,155, with a healthy increase (5%) also in another key market, the US.
The growth comes off the back of a 5% rise in passengers in 2014, which saw numbers climb by 22% in total from what they were when the airport was separated in 2013.
A Shannon Airport spokesperson said: “Shannon passenger numbers this year so far, like last year, have been solid. Our continued growth comes at a time when we are implementing significant investment at the airport to enhance the passenger experience and position the airport for further growth in the years ahead.
“We are really pleased with growth on our UK services, given its our largest market, and on our five US destinations, not least considering what this particular market does for tourism here as transatlantic visitors stay longer and spend more than any other demographic.
“We are also now looking forward to a positive winter season with new services to Fuerteventura and Malaga and a return on the winter schedule of Shannon to Edinburgh. In addition, we have increased capacity on our Aer Lingus Boston service this year,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has warned that it could cut back on flights between Ireland and London in a bid to combat the uncertainty created by ‘Brexit’.
The airline confirmed that its planning to cut capacity and frequency on routes out of London Stansted Airport this winter.
It’s understood that no routes are being cut, but Ryanair has said they are pivoting away from UK airports, and focussing instead on EU airports in the wake of the Brexit referendum result.