(NEWS) DUBLIN, 2025-Nov-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Ryanair is set to elevate Shannon Airport’s connectivity to new heights with its Summer 2026 expansion, unveiling four new European routes — Rome, Warsaw, Poznan, and Madrid — alongside the introduction of a fourth based aircraft. The move represents a US$400 million investment and marks the airline’s biggest-ever schedule from Shannon, featuring a record 30 routes and a 15% increase in total seats compared to last year.
The announcement underscores Ryanair’s long-term commitment to Ireland’s west coast and follows a series of expansions at Shannon, including the addition of winter routes to Lapland, Madeira, and Madrid for 2025/26. With more than 1.4 million low-fare seats planned for the upcoming summer, the new schedule is designed to strengthen Shannon’s role as a key international gateway while boosting inbound tourism and regional economic growth.
Passengers will enjoy twice-weekly flights to Rome and Poznan beginning March 31, 2026, while Madrid will see year-round service on Wednesdays and Sundays. Warsaw will connect with four weekly flights from March 30. Alongside these new destinations, Ryanair will increase frequency on five of Shannon’s most popular routes — Manchester, Alicante, Barcelona-Reus, Lanzarote, and Malta — further enhancing options for both leisure and business travelers.
Ray O’Driscoll, Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said the announcement signals strong confidence in the airport’s future. “We’re delighted to welcome Ryanair’s continued commitment to Shannon Airport with the addition of a fourth based aircraft and four new routes. This expansion reflects our investment in infrastructure, passenger experience, and partnerships that strengthen connectivity for the region.”
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, described the development as “a clear commitment to growing Ireland’s regional connectivity,” while renewing calls for the Irish government to extend the Regional Airports Programme 2026–2030 to airports handling up to three million passengers annually — a move that would enable further growth for Shannon and other regional hubs.
The news follows Ryanair’s earlier investment in Shannon’s winter schedule, which added three new destinations and boosted capacity on several established routes, helping the airport achieve double-digit growth. In addition, the airline’s local hiring drive in mid-2025 saw recruitment for 35 new cabin crew positions to support expanding operations.
With over 1,500 local aviation jobs supported by Ryanair’s Shannon base, the expanded schedule is expected to generate significant benefits for tourism, trade, and the wider economy of Ireland’s Midwest. The airline’s continued investment cements Shannon’s position as a dynamic, competitive hub for both outbound travelers and international visitors seeking direct access to the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s western regions.
To celebrate the milestone, Ryanair has launched a two-day seat sale with fares starting from €29.99, available exclusively on Ryanair.com.
