Flying home for Christmas

The decorations are up, the lights are on and the singers are warming up to welcome over 125,000 passengers through Shannon Airport over Christmas – marking an increase of 10% on the same period last year.

The busiest travel days are expected to be Friday, December 19, and Friday January 2, with over 8,000 passengers forecast on each day as people travel home for Christmas and head back after the festivities.

Airport Director of Shannon Airport, Niall Kearns said: "We’re delighted to welcome over 125,000 passengers this Christmas - a 10% increase on last year and ending 2025 on the same upward trajectory of passenger numbers that we’ve seen across the past 12 months.

"Christmas at Shannon is always a special time as people gather to meet loved ones returning home for the festive season, and families reunite in Arrivals. Our team works really hard to make the experience of flying to and from Shannon at Christmas as festive and friendly as possible, and we look forward to welcoming all our passengers across the coming weeks."

To set the festive tone, passengers arriving between December 17 and 21 will be greeted with live performances from local choirs, including St Aidan’s National School, St Flannan’s Senior Choir, the Denis Liddy Group, Timahoe Male Choir and the Shannon Gospel Choir.

Passengers departing in the coming days are invited to spread the joy by making a wish, or leaving a message for a loved one, on the Wishing Tree in the Transit Lounge. While those flying home can capture the magic by snapping a seasonal photo in Santa’s Sleigh or in the giant, sparkling photo frame in Arrivals.

Since October, Shannon has been a gateway for lucky passengers travelling to and from Lapland, so Santa is sure to know his way back after his Christmas Eve deliveries. However, the airport remains open on Christmas Day just in case the big man needs to divert for any reason - as always Shannon Airport is happy to assist!