10 YEARS on, as the Shannon Group celebrates a decade of work this Thursday (September 5), it can boast economic impact totalling almost €4 billion, while also supporting over 20,300 jobs and delivering €643million in tax revenue.
This all while Shannon Airport is on track to reach two million passengers for first time since 2009.
Meanwhile, over €178million has been invested by the group which replaced the former Shannon Development company in upgrades across the airport and commercial property business during the past 10 years.
The airport, operating to 33 destinations across Europe, the UK, and the US, has been boosted considerably by Delta Air Lines new service to New York-JFK which began earlier this summer, as well as additional frequency on nine of its most popular summer sun destinations, including Alicante, Faro and Lanzarote.
Shannon remains the only airport along the Wild Atlantic Way route to offer transatlantic flights to New York, Newark, Boston, and Chicago.
Shannon Airport has a long history of innovation and world firsts, and the airport team has continued to build on this legacy during the past decade.
In 2017, Shannon became the first airport in Europe to open a sensory room for passengers with additional and neurodivergent needs.
Shannon is also one of the first airports in the world to receive age friendly status from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its commitment to making travel as inclusive as possible for people of all ages.
The airport remains one of only two in Europe to offer pre-clearance to US-bound passengers, while the introduction of a new mobile passport control app in February of this year has further streamlined this process with passengers now able to complete part of the pre-clearance process prior to their arrival at Shannon Airport.
Over the past 10 years, The Shannon Airport Group’s commercial property business has experienced significant growth. Central to this success is the Shannon Airport Business Park, located on the expansive Shannon Campus.
Committed to a 51 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050 at the latest, the Group is actively working with ESB to explore the potential for a green hydrogen facility in Shannon.
Recently, the Shannon Airport Group was granted planning permission for a 1.2MW Photovoltaic Solar Farm on a 5.5-acre site within the airfield at Shannon Airport.
The Group says this project will make Shannon Airport home to Ireland’s first solar farm located within an airfield, which is expected to provide up to 15-20 per cent of the airport’s current electrical demand from renewable energy upon completion.
The Group is also leading the construction of new commercial property developments and upgrade of existing facilities to NZEB and LEED standards.
Welcoming the 10th anniversary, Mary Considine, CEO of the Shannon Airport Group said: “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Shannon Airport Group, we reflect with immense pride on our progress and achievements over the past decade.”
“From the significant growth at Shannon Airport, with this year set to be the busiest year at the airport since 2009, to investing over €178million in infrastructure and property upgrades, we are very proud of our journey to date.
“We are more than just an airport, we are driving tourism, trade, and economic growth. The economic impact of the Group was nearly €4billion according to the most recent report by Oxford Economics, while we also support 20,300 jobs in the Mid West, underscoring the significant role we play in driving the region forward.
“This success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible team, our valued customers, our dedicated partners, government and all the other stakeholders who have supported our journey.
“This spirit of collaboration has been the foundation of our success, and I wish to extend my gratitude to everyone who has played a part in our story so far.
“Looking to the future, we are more committed than ever to continuing our legacy of innovation, sustainability, and economic development, ensuring a brighter, greener future for the Mid West region and beyond.”
