HUNDREDS of thousands of passengers will fly through Shannon Airport over the coming weeks with schools finished, exams completed and the summer holiday season in full swing.
Planning ahead is the secret to hassle-free travel, Airport Director at Shannon Airport, Niall Kearns stated. “We know travel can sometimes feel a little stressful at this time of year, but a bit of planning really helps people relax from the moment they arrive,” he said. “Once everything is organised, people can switch straight into holiday mode. That’s what Shannon Airport is all about, making it easy so that our passengers don’t have to wait until they land for that holiday feeling to kick in.”
With five car parks, all within a short walk of the terminal, passengers are encouraged to pre-book online. Travellers can also use the Shannon Airport App to pin their car’s location, avoiding that dreaded post-holiday search of the car park.
When it comes to holiday essentials, the smartphone sits high on the list. Before leaving home, make sure your boarding pass is downloaded and accessible offline, and keep important travel documents easily to hand.
“We’re all dependent on our phones these days when it comes to holidays – boarding passes, hotel booking confirmations, transfer details – they’re all there,” Niall said. “The best approach is to follow your airline’s guidance and ensure your boarding pass is available offline through the airline app or your phone’s wallet. Some travellers keep copies of their other important travel information in more than one place and share key details with those in their group, just in case a battery dies or a phone goes missing”.
While airport security is often the part of the journey travellers worry about most, Shannon Airport says there’s no need to stress. The advice is straightforward: empty pockets, remove jackets, hoodies, belts and over-the-ankle footwear before screening, and keep liquids, gels and aerosols to 100ml or under. At Shannon Airport all liquids and electronics can stay inside your cabin bag.
Screening Supervisor Katie Duggan-Hastings explained, “There’s no need to be nervous about security screening. There is clear signage before you come through to the area and our team is always available to help. We want every passenger to have a relaxed, positive experience”.
“Making travel accessible and comfortable for everyone is a key focus at Shannon Airport,” Kearns added. “We have a range of dedicated services in place to support passengers who need anything from full assistance to just a little extra help. We’d encourage anyone who might benefit to make use of them.”
Shannon Airport offers PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) support, a Sensory Room, a Changing Places facility and participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme. It is also one of only two airports in Europe recognised as ‘Age Friendly’ by the World Health Organisation, helping to ensure every passenger’s journey is as comfortable and supported as possible.
While Shannon Airport is known for its ease of use, passengers are still advised to allow two hours before scheduled departure time for European flights and three hours before transatlantic trips. That allows time to browse its unique Duty Free with over 150 Irish and local brands, enjoy a coffee, cold drink or bite to eat and start the holiday at a more relaxed pace.
With 40 destinations on offer this year, full US Preclearance, short walking distances and friendly staff, Shannon Airport has been named Ireland’s top airport brand for the past three years and achieves a 90% “recommend to a friend” rating. As it prepares to welcome passengers from across the country during the busy summer season, the message is simple: a little preparation before travelling can really help make the journey easier and more enjoyable. “Summer travel should be about looking forward to the destination, not worrying about airport logistics,” Niall stated. “A little preparation can go a long way and our team is always on hand to help make sure every holiday gets off to a great start”.
