ON October 24, 1945, a DC-4 aircraft operated by American Overseas Airlines touched down at Shannon Airport, making history as the first scheduled, commercial transatlantic passenger flight.
To mark the momentous anniversary, The Shannon Airport Group is inviting members of the public – including passengers, staff, community groups, local schools, and children – to contribute to a time capsule that will be sealed and buried at the airport this October.
Submissions may include stories, drawings, photographs, or reflections that capture life today and imagine the world of tomorrow.
From that first transatlantic passenger flight traffic 80 years ago, Shannon has grown to over two million passengers annually and five daily departures to the US.
Head of Operations at The Shannon Airport Group, Pamela Brooks, said that “celebrating 80 years of transatlantic travel is a remarkable milestone – not just for Shannon Airport and the Mid West, but for the global aviation community. It’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come since that first historic flight in 1945.”
“Today, Shannon offers daily transatlantic services to New York, Chicago, and Boston, and we’ve even witnessed the European debut of the first electric aircraft this year.
“With so much progress behind us, we thought it would be exciting to also look ahead. Who knows what the next 80 years will bring?”
Those interested in contributing to The Shannon Airport Group ‘Time, Sealed, and Delivered’ project are encouraged to think about things such as future travel, technology, sustainability, culture, and community, along with how they would share their hopes and predictions for the next 80 years.
Suggestions for items to offer included photographs, letters, small souvenirs, and newspaper articles.
The call for submission of ideas opens closes on September 29, with selected, physical items required by October 10.
For full details or to submit an idea, visit snnairportgroup.ie/about-us/80-year-celebration.
