Shannon Airport passenger numbers made a strong recovery last year following a big demand for international travel after the Covid-19 pandemic almost destroyed aviation travel.
The Shannon Airport Group's annual report shows it dealt with 1.5 million passengers last year, and while it did not reach the 1.7 million recorded in 2019, it was a significant recovery.
The pandemic almost wiped out air travel across the world, with passenger figures at Shannon down to just over 352,402 in 2020, and just 379,935 in 2021.
The 1.5 million passengers welcomed last year was a 300% increase on 2021 and reflected an 88% recovery of pre-Covid figures of 2019.
Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine said that despite the drastic drop in numbers during the pandemic, the airport operator used the time to make changes and upgrade facilities to prepare for the recovery.
"The preparatory work we put in place during the pandemic greatly assisted us in our recovery.
The introduction of our new, faster airport security screening facility, the first in any State airport has had a positive impact.
"The ease of security has seen an increase in passengers using Shannon as a result," she said.
The prospects for this year are also positive when Shannon Airport will operate 35 routes to 11 countries.
"This year we will have more routes than we had in 2019, with six new destinations to Naples, Bezier, Newcastle, Porto, Liverpool, and a new daily seasonal transatlantic service to Chicago starting in May. So by the end of 2023, we expect traffic volumes to surpass 2019," Ms Considine added.
Group turnover was up 76% in its 2022 results, with group operations at €60.7m compared to €34.5m in 2021.
The group also manages a significant property portfolio in the Shannon industrial zone much of it centred around the airport campus.
This year it will add 9,290 square metres of new commercial properties including a 5,574 sq/m multi-use industrial unit ideal for warehousing, manufacturing or logistics which is almost ready for occupation, and a further 3,716 sq/m manufacturing and office facility which will be ready to occupy later this year.
