Figures released this morning by Aer Rianta show that 2.4 million people used Shannon airport last year. This is on par with the previous year, which was a record 12 months for the airport.
Despite the negative impact of foot and mouth disease, the downturn in the US and European economies and the US attacks on September 11, Aer Rianta said 2001 was a successful year for the Co Clare airport.
International terminal traffic showed a slight increase of 3,000 passengers over the previous year, while domestic and transit traffic decreased by 6,000 and 1,000 passengers.
Aer Rianta said the September 11 attacks contributed to a very marked slowdown in traffic growth in the last quarter of the year, with airlines on transatlantic routes reducing capacity reflecting demand.
The US market, which had shown an increase of 5% to the end of August, suffered a decrease from mid-September with the withdrawal of services to Newark and Baltimore/Washington and the reduction of services to other US airports. The year finished with a 1% decrease on the previous year.
There was good news, however on European traffic figures. This market recorded growth of 15%, despite the loss of a direct flight to Paris since October. Growth on existing scheduled and charter services and the introduction of a service to Belgium by Ryanair were behind the better figures.
But the British market suffered a 5% fall in traffic, reflecting the impact of foot and mouth disease and the loss of the Virgin Express service from Shannon. The ending of services to London and Belfast had a negative impact on passenger numbers towards the end of the year. Domestic traffic also showed a marked decline towards the end of the year.
Shannon Free Duty Free and Travel Shops had a successful year - despite the reduction in traffic levels - with sales marginally ahead of the previous year. A new coach and car park was also completed during the year.
