Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN)
New routes and frequency possibilities and why these routes would work
“More flights” – operators of new services to Shannon’s list of promising destinations can expect up to 70% discounts on airport charges over 3-4 years rising to 75% for transatlantic services. Opened in August Europe’s first full US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility allows British Airways’ brand new London City to JFK service to proceed to New York as a ‘domestic flight’ after a fuel stop in Shannon (photos: Business Traveller). Tranquil Bunratty Castle gives just a glimmer of the potential of the abundance of natural beauty and history.
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Limerick...stunning Co Clare...the tail plane monument at Shannon airport in the mid-1990s to celebrate a half century of transatlantic services...and today’s busy ramp of US-bound services – a contemporary tribute to the airport’s current ability to sustain services to Boston and New York (JFK and Newark).
Other major reasons to serve this airport
- Shannon Airport is strategically located on the west coast of Ireland. By international standards Shannon is an uncongested airport and delays for airlines and passengers are relatively rare occurrences. At present the airport operates considerably below capacity so that there is ample scope for significant increases in activity.
- Almost 50% of overseas investment in Ireland is located in the West.
- Shannon has one of the best open weather records of all European airports. Its temperate climate, near sea level location (field elevation 47ft.) and obstruction-free 3,200m runway, allow for maximum operational conditions winter and summer.
- It is unhampered by operational or local authority restrictions. No restrictive noise abatement procedures apply day or night. Neither curfew nor slotting arrangements exist.
- In August 2009, Shannon opened Europe’s first full US CBP facility, allowing passengers to pre-clear all formalities for US immigration, Customs and Agriculture at Shannon.
- Through its own fuel company, Shannon Airport can also offer airlines aviation fuel at more competitive prices than those available at other Irish Airports.
Marketing and other support
Pricing and Incentives
Route Support Schemes
At Shannon Airport we are committed to developing new routes and services for our customers and to this end we have developed the following schemes to assist in the continuing development of the airport network.
- 'Open Skies' Transatlantic Support Scheme 2010
Shannon Airport recognises the critical importance of transatlantic services to its ongoing viability and development as an international airport. The continued operation of these services in an Open Skies environment will provide access for passengers to major U.S. gateways, and destinations throughout North America. In this regard an airline that operates a transatlantic service schedule, in accordance with the scheme criteria, will benefit from reduced airport charges at the following rates over a three-year period. - Route Support Scheme 2010 for Short-Haul and Long-Haul operations
We wish to encourage the development of services which meet our customers’ requirements, and in this regard we will support the commencement of new routes and the expansion and growth of existing services at the West of Ireland gateway for both short-haul and long-haul operations.
She is not alone: Shannon’s catchment area covers 27% of Ireland’s population – airlines interested in exploiting this can benefit from four support schemes for new services.
Catchment Area
Ireland’s population is now estimated at 4.2 million people with over 27% residing within the Shannon catchment area. The airport’ catchment area represents almost 40% of the population outside the capital city. It extends throughout the western and central regions of Ireland including the Limerick, Ennis, Galway axis which is one of the most important and fastest growing business corridors in the country.
Scheduled Passengers Jan-Dec 2009
| Profile | Total | London | UKP | Europe | Transatlantic | Internal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||||||
| Male | 44% | 43% | 45% | 46% | 41% | 43% |
| Female | 56% | 57% | 55% | 54% | 59% | 57% |
| Age | ||||||
| Under 25 years | 13% | 11% | 14% | 16% | 10% | 7% |
| 25 - 49 years | 56% | 55% | 55% | 60% | 53% | 61% |
| 50+ years | 31% | 33% | 31% | 25% | 38% | 32% |
| Social Class | ||||||
| AB | 25% | 25% | 24% | 21% | 32% | 33% |
| C1 | 34% | 34% | 36% | 32% | 36% | 38% |
| C2DE | 39% | 40% | 38% | 45% | 31% | 28% |
| F1/F2 | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
| Main Purpose of Journey | ||||||
| Business | 8% | 10% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 17% |
| Holiday | 37% | 17% | 19% | 57% | 48% | 50% |
| VFR | 38% | 50% | 48% | 28% | 30% | 19% |
| Other | 17% | 23% | 23% | 9% | 14% | 14% |
| Country of Residence | ||||||
| Ireland (incl. N.I) | 58% | 50% | 55% | 77% | 45% | 44% |
| Great Britain | 20% | 43% | 43% | 0% | 1% | 1% |
| Europe | 7% | 1% | 0% | 20% | 0% | 4% |
| North America | 14% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 54% | 51% |
| Other | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| Duration of Trip | ||||||
| Over & back in one day | 2% | 5% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| One overnight | 4% | 8% | 7% | 0% | 0% | 5% |
| 2 to 3 nights | 23% | 32% | 41% | 15% | 4% | 8% |
| 4 to 7 nights | 42% | 38% | 37% | 48% | 41% | 40% |
| 8 to 14 nights | 22% | 12% | 9% | 27% | 41% | 34% |
| More than 2 weeks | 8% | 6% | 4% | 8% | 14% | 13% |
| Point to point/ connecting | ||||||
| Point to point | 89% | 95% | 100% | 95% | 68% | 28% |
| Connecting | 11% | 5% | 0% | 5% | 32% | 72% |
Under-served freight opportunities and other economic impact factors
Economic impact: The €200m Westpark Shannon is the latest development in the famous Shannon Free Zone adjacent to the airport. The 250 hectare business park hosts Ireland's largest cluster of North American investments for whom it serves as a springboard for companies investing in Europe. Intel – one of the zone’s premier occupants – recently invested over €50 million at its research and development facility more than doubling employment to 300 jobs – an event celebrated here by Ireland’s enterprise minister, Mary Coughlan, and senior executives from Intel and Shannon Development.
Shannon's unrestricted runway, round the clock operation, efficient handling and the presence of many of the major global logistics firms provide air cargo options unavailable at any other Irish airport.
Handling over 100 million pounds of airfreight annually, Shannon plays a key role in Ireland's international trading performance. The significant clusters of export-oriented industry in the West, Mid West and South of Ireland in particular depend on Shannon's cargo services and facilities for timely access to their major markets.
Operational Features:
- 3,200m Cat II runway
- 24 hour unrestricted operation
- No slots or curfews
- Handling experience of An124, 747F and MD11F aircraft on a regular basis
- Choice of ramp and warehouse handlers
- Newly built EU Border Inspection Post
Geography
- Shannon airport is located 24km from Limerick City and 22km from Ennis, Co Clare, adjacent to Ireland’s premier tourist attractions on the West Coast. It is well served by public transport with three coach operators connecting Shannon to all the major cities in Ireland. There is a taxi rank located in the arrivals hall which is open for all arriving flights. Eight car rental companies are situated in the arrivals hall.
Infrastructure & Operations:
- Runways:
- 06/24 Length 3,199 metres, width 45 metres
- Surface asphalt, Category 2
- 13/31 Length 1,720 metres, width 45 metres
- Surface asphalt/concrete
- Slot Coordinated: No
Reasons to fly here: The uncongested but well-frequented airport, the modern face of nearby Limerick, and the inexhaustible asset of boundless natural beauty: Co. Clare’s cliffs of Moher rise to over 200 meters and provide one of Ireland's most spectacular views.
- Operating hours: 24 hrs. 365 days a year.
- Terminals: New terminal opened in 2000 with a capacity for 4.5m passengers
- US CBP facility - Full US CBP opened August 2009.
Infrastructure & Operations:
From 1 August 2009 Shannon Airport became Europe’s first full US CBP facility and became the first airport in the world outside of the Americas to offer Full US CBP preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA.
With this new facility your airline can land at any airport you choose in the USA. It allows you and your passengers to pre-clear all formalities for US Immigration, Customs and Agriculture.
With dedicated facilities for all commercial, technical transit and business jet operations, your arrival in the USA will be seamless when you use Shannon Airport.
- Airline Benefits of US CBP preclearance
- Land at any airport and use domestic terminals on arrival, thus reducing your costs.
- Avoid congestions and delays at international terminals – maximising aircraft utilisation
- Develop and create new routing opportunities and airline partners
- Reduce connecting time for your passengers for onward travel within the USA
- Secure and efficient entry process to the USA
- Passenger Benefits US CBP preclearance
- Passengers arrive as domestic passengers – faster process through airport terminals.
- No changing terminals from international to domestic for connecting passengers.
- Shorter connecting times mean passengers reach their final destination earlier.
- Baggage checked to final destination – no pick up/drop off.
Vital statistics
Almost 3.2m passengers travelled through Shannon Airport in 2008. The UK market is the single biggest market, accounting for 34% of traffic. European routes account for 31% of traffic while transatlantic represents 19%.
Financials
Airport charges:
http://www.shannonairport.com/businesstobusiness/airportcharges.html
Annual report:
http://www.shannonairport.com/company/annualreport.html








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