Adam Mulkerrin, Airport Operations and Rebecca Gubbins, Screening Supervisor with the Easter Bunny at Shannon Airport. Pic Arthur Ellis
(IN SHORT) Shannon Airport expects over 132,000 passengers during the Easter period, marking a 7% increase year-on-year. The airport has also launched an expanded Summer 2026 schedule featuring 38 routes, five new destinations, and a total capacity of 2 million seats. Transatlantic services have reached their highest levels since 2018, with increased flights to the United States. The expansion reflects strong travel demand and growing airline confidence, supported by new routes, higher frequencies, and improved connectivity across Europe and North America.
(PRESS RELEASE) SHANNON, Ireland, 2026-Mar-31 — /Travel PR News/ — Shannon Airport is preparing for a strong Easter travel period, with more than 132,000 passengers expected to pass through its terminals—representing a 7% increase compared to the same holiday period in 2025. The growth reflects sustained demand and continued expansion of the airport’s route network.
Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Ray O’Driscoll, noted that the projected increase aligns with positive travel trends observed since the beginning of the year. He highlighted robust demand during recent holiday periods and pointed to increased passenger choice as a key driver of growth.
The airport has also launched its Summer 2026 schedule, one of the most comprehensive in recent years. The programme includes 38 routes across 11 countries and introduces an additional 200,000 seats, bringing total capacity to approximately 2 million seats—an 11% rise compared to Summer 2025.
New destinations form a central part of the expanded offering. Services to Rome, Warsaw, Poznań, and Madrid will be operated by Ryanair, while Discover Airlines will introduce a new connection to Frankfurt. In addition, Ryanair is increasing frequencies on several popular routes, including Manchester, Alicante, Barcelona, Lanzarote, and Malta.
Transatlantic services are also expanding, with total capacity exceeding 350,000 seats—the highest level since 2018. Enhanced frequencies on Aer Lingus flights to Boston are contributing to this increase. Shannon’s North American network also includes routes to New York (JFK), Newark, and Chicago, operated by Aer Lingus, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
Further enhancements include an additional weekly summer flight by Aer Lingus to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, adding over 9,000 seats to the schedule.
The expanded programme reflects strong airline partnerships and confidence in the region’s travel demand. According to Ray O’Driscoll, the airport is focused on delivering a smooth and efficient passenger experience throughout the busy Easter and summer periods.
The launch of the summer schedule also marks the commencement of new Ryanair routes, with inaugural flights to Rome and Poznań departing this week, following the introduction of services to Warsaw.
With increased capacity, new destinations, and growing transatlantic connectivity, Shannon Airport continues to strengthen its position as a key gateway for both European and long-haul travel.
Media contact:
communications@snnairportgroup.ie
SOURCE: The Shannon Airport Group
