AFTER a May Bank Holiday weekend of record breaking numbers using Shannon Airport, Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan stated that increased use of the airport is crucial to balanced regional development.
Shannon Airport had a significant surge in passenger traffic during the May Bank Holiday weekend, with over 53,000 passengers traveling through the airport, an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The Limerick TD made the comments whilst again seeking clarity as to when the review of the government’s Aviation Policy will be completed.
Deputy Quinlivan commented whilst speaking to the Transport Minister, saying that “Shannon Airport can handle five million passengers for a year, in 2024 it serviced 2.1 million passengers and there is capacity to grow substantially”.
“With most flights, 86 per cent, leaving from Dublin there is a need to create regional balance and ensure that more flights are added to the Shannon schedule.
“We need balanced regional development and increased capacity at Shannon Airport is crucial to achieving that and enhancing the Mid West.”
Deputy Quinlivan said that “now is the time to increase flights from Shannon and that should coincide with improved public transport services to the airport. I would contend that a crucial aspect of this connection should be a rail spur from Limerick to the airport and faster bus times.”
Addressing the importance of Shannon Airport to tourism in the region, Deputy Quinlivan continued that “the review of the aviation policy needs to be completed quickly. Shannon Airport is the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. It serves the Mid West region. As we have said in the past, it is the fulcrum of the prosperity in the Mid West region, and thousands of jobs are dependent on the airport.”
The Limerick Deputy noted the recent performance of the Shannon Group suggesting that this demonstrates the group is ready and willing to expand operations at the airport.
“The Shannon International Airport Oireachtas Group, that I am a member of, recently met with the chief executive of the airport group. Her discussions with us made clear just how well Shannon Airport has recovered since the pandemic and the potential they have,” he said.
“I concur with the call by the Chief Executive of the Shannon Airport Group for the expansion of the scope of the Regional Airports Programme to assist in a balanced distribution of economic growth across the state recognising the airport’s pivotal role within the aviation sector.”
