CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine described 2021 as another ”challenging year” but says that she is ”optimistic for the future”.
The Shannon Group released their end of year results, showing that Shannon Airport passenger numbers rose by 8% in 2021 compared to 2020. Most travel took place in the latter part of the year following the rollout of the vaccination programme and the introduction of the EU Digital Covid Cert.
380,000 people used Shannon Airport in 2021 compared to 352,000 who used the airport in 2020. Despite this increase, it is still down 78% from 2019.
2021 saw Shannon Airport recover in its European and UK services. European passenger numbers from Shannon increased to 65%, while the UK market increased to 43%.
Commenting on the results and 2021, Considine said; ”Our team at Shannon Group have been unwavering in our focus on recovery and rebuilding to ensure a successful future for our employees, the people and businesses in our region who rely on our Shannon Airport services for their livelihoods.
Although it has been another challenging year, having come through the worst of the Pandemic, we are confident that the foundations for recovery are in place.
“With the welcome announcement of the lifting of restrictions, there is real optimism in the air. While it will still take time for the unwinding of Covid restrictions to filter down into the aviation sector, it is a really positive development for industries devastated by the pandemic.”
The CEO believes that 2022 will be challenging for Shannon Airport but is optimistic things will improve. “While 2022 will still be a challenging year, and there is still a considerable journey ahead of us, there are positive signs of recovery which give us confidence,” she said.
The Shannon Group was established in 2014. It has invested €145 million enhancing its airport facilities and providing property solutions at its campus for FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and indigenous companies. €60 million of that was used between 2019 and 2021.
