Irelands Best Airports


aer lingus planes parked at irish airport

Ireland has been recognised as having some of the best airports in Europe, consistently ranking in the top 5 most popular airports in terms of passenger numbers. Over the years, a number of airports have developed and expanded, providing services to domestic and international flights. These airports can offer various services that make air travel pleasant and efficient for passengers, creating a smooth transition from arrival to departure. Here we take a look at the top Ireland best airports.

Ireland has some of the best airports in Europe, each offering its own unique services and features. Whether you are looking for a quick turnaround time, plenty of amenities and services, or just a comfortable and hassle-free experience, there is sure to be an Irish airport ( aerfort in Irish) that can cater to your needs.

Dublin Airport is the biggest aerfort airport and is known for its shopping facilities, stunning architecture, and its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Seeing over 27 million travellers a year, the aerfort offers a range of services for visitors and locals alike. Travellers can avail of a variety of lounge areas and restaurants as well as comfortable seating and plenty of parking options. In addition, Dublin Airport is well-connected to public transport with regular buses, taxis, and trains taking passengers to the city centre in no time.

Cork Airport has been referred to as one of the most efficient airports in Europe, providing quality services to passengers. The aerfort gets over two million passengers annually and is known for its quick turn-around time with most flights taking no more than 15 minutes to start boarding. The aerfort also offers shuttle buses to get passengers to the city centre, which is only 8 kilometres away, and check-in desks as well as luggage checkers to make the travel experience hassle-free.

Shannon Airport serves over one million travellers every year and is located in the mid-west part of Ireland. It is the only aerfort in the country that offers US customs services to transit passengers, making it an ideal destination for people who are travelling from the US to another international destination. The terminal building also has plenty of amenities, such as shops and restaurants, and it is well connected to the Irish rail network.

Ireland West Airport is located in County Mayo and has been recently refurbished, remodelled and upgraded in order to provide a more modern and lively atmosphere. The aerfort gets over two million passengers each year and offers a variety of services suitable for both business and leisure travellers. Travellers staying at the nearby hotels can get discounts on aerfort services and amenities, and there is plenty of car parking and other transport options available when needed.

Shannon Airport County Clare Ireland

Shannon Airport County Clare in Ireland

Shannon Airport is a busy international travel hub located near the town of Shannon, in County Clare, Ireland. Pre-dating the era of Dublin as the country’s only international airport, Shannon Airport was one of the first to be established in the then-small nation, and it has since established its own presence amid the Irish aviation industry.

The origins of Shannon Airport stretch back to the 1940s and the onset of World War II. At the time, the British established a number of airports and air bases across the island of Ireland, creating several necessary facilities like the original Shannon Airport. The air-travel gateway initially took on predominantly military purposes and wasn’t initially seen as a major civilian hub, although civil flights began to be operated throughout the next several decades, leading to commercial growth and routes to Britain, the United States and beyond.

It wasn’t until the establishment of the largely state-controlled Shannon Development tourism organization that Shannon Airport began to truly take off in commercial terms. In the post-WWII era, Shannon Development encouraged a number of transport and industry associations to set up in the area, establishing ancillary services such as bus lines and car-rental businesses to connect passengers with the aerfort and its facilities. This, in turn, led to an expanse and renewal of services, leading to growth in the number of travellers being served by the airport and the expansion of international services there.

The aerfort has continued to develop and evolve over the years and now offers passenger traffic to over sixty destinations, with regular services to the United States, United Kingdom, Northern Europe, the Middle East and Russia. With its convenient geographical position, roughly halfway between the east and west coasts of Ireland, Shannon Airport is an ideal place for both international travel and the regional and domestic services that it provides.

Shannon Airport is a vital part and engine of the County Clare economy. In addition to serving as a major tourist hub, it provides around 1,700 direct jobs and generates roughly $100 million for the region annually in terms of business and services. Even with the escalation of Dublin Airport’s popularity in recent years, Shannon still plays an indispensable part in the everyday economy of County Clare, providing a major nexus of commercial, international and domestic travel services.

Shannon Airport is an integral part of the Irish aviation industry and a major human and economic force in County Clare. What began as a strategic military air base in the 1940s has since grown and developed into what stands today as a major international travel hub, serving millions of passengers each year and contributing to the security, prosperity and development of the Irish Midlands region.

Dublin Airport

dublin airport terminal building at sunset

Dublin Airport in Ireland is the busiest airport in Ireland and the 22nd busiest airport in Europe. It is located 10 kilometres north of Dublin in Collinstown and is the main international gateway to Ireland, providing a gateway to the rest of Europe and the world.

The airport has two main passenger terminals and a dedicated business aviation terminal. It is home to the main hub of Ireland’s flag carrier, Aer Lingus, as well as a hub for Ryanair, which is the largest airline in the country and the largest airline in Europe by passenger numbers. The aerfort is also home to a number of other airlines, including United Airlines, KLM, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.

Dublin Airport sees over 29 million passengers per year and grows at a steady rate each year. The airport offers over 130 nonstop destinations across the continents of Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. Additionally, the aerfort offers a direct connection to London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol, making it a popular choice for connecting flights.

Dublin Airport offers an extensive range of ground transportation options. The airport is connected to the city centre by the Airlink Express bus, while MetroLink – a light rail service – connects the aerfort to destinations including Dublin Port, Swords, and Howth. The aerfort is served by a taxi rank, with taxis ready to transfer passengers to their destinations. Additionally, a number of car hire companies are available to make the journey to and from the airport as convenient as possible.

The aerfort offers a range of amenities and services. Retail stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants are available both before and after security, while the Irish Experience Museum provides travellers with an interesting insight into the history of Irish aviation. The aerfort also offers a prayer room, banking services, and a post office. Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal for all passengers.

In addition to its excellent transport links, passenger amenities, and convenient location, Dublin Airport works hard to ensure the safety of each passenger. The aerfort is managed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards and employs the most advanced security technologies to ensure that all travellers remain safe and secure.

In conclusion, Dublin Airport is one of the busiest and best-connected airports in Europe. It offers a wide range of transportation options and a range of passenger services and amenities that make the experience of travelling from this popular Irish destination a pleasant one. The airport’s commitment to the safety of its passengers is just one further reason to choose Dublin Airport for international travel. 

Cork Airport

airport terminal building with people walking

Cork Airport, located in south-eastern Ireland, is one of the country’s busiest, crossing various airlines and flight routes from major cities around the world. Opened in 1961, the aerfort is the second busiest on the island, ranking only behind the Irish capital, Dublin. Cork Airport is a major centre of air transportation in Ireland, connecting millions of passengers to travel destinations all over the world.

Cork Airport serves as a hub for several airlines, providing flights to and from Europe, North America and other parts of the world. The airport’s main carrier is Aer Lingus, which offers daily flights to destinations in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the United States and Canada, and also provides additional seasonal flights. Other airlines that operate out of Cork include Ryanair, Flybe, Aer Arann, and CityJet. The aerfort is also used by the US Military, which uses it as a base for operations in nearby Afghanistan.

The aerfort is well-facilitated, offering all the necessary amenities for passengers to enjoy a comfortable time. There is a secure car park, a range of cafes and restaurants, duty-free shops and a multi-storey shopping centre, perfect for those who wish to pick up some souvenirs. Travellers can also avail themselves of the services provided at the airport’s banks, business centres, in-flight information centres, and tourist information desks.

On top of this, Cork Airport offers a variety of activities and attractions to make their passenger experiences more enjoyable. A range of attractions such as the Golden Spire showcase and the Upper Market Bar can be found in the terminal, while there is also an aviation museum, showcasing the history of aviation in Ireland.

The aerfort has experienced impressive growth in passenger numbers in recent years, due in part to its expansion in terms of its facilities and services, as well as increased global connectivity. It is expected to continue to attract more travellers as it further adapts and develops.

Cork Airport truly showcases the spirit of progress and innovation in the region, particularly given its importance as a gateway for Irish international air travel. It is well-equipped to meet the needs of today’s busy travellers, and with a wide variety of services and amenities on offer, there is something for everyone at Cork Airport.

Ireland West Airport Mayo

airport check in sign lighting in yellow

A stone’s throw away from Knock Shrine, Ireland West Airport has been servicing the western counties of Mayo, Galway and Roscommon for over thirty years. Referred to as Ireland West Airport by locals and commonly known as Knock, Knock Airport or simply Knock Ireland, the specialised regional aerfort hosts over 600,000 passengers per year and offers a selection of flights to both domestic and international destinations.

Ireland West has long been a little hub of aviation activity and has a long and famous history of welcoming visitors from all around the world. The aerfort first opened its doors in 1986 and was constructed by the local government in order to promote the region as a tourism destination. Although intended as a commercial facility, the airport remains in a state of flux as a result of a lack of significant investment in the airport’s operations, something which has limited the range of routes that Ireland West Airport has to offer its passengers.

Currently, the airport is serviced by Aer Lingus Regional and Flybe-operated flights as well as a few scheduled and charter services from UK, European and North American airlines. These offer direct flights to and from the likes of Birmingham, London-Luton and Amsterdam, connecting Mayo and the surrounding regions to the rest of the world.

The aerfort is made up of two terminal buildings, the ground floor and departures. The latter offers a number of check-in desks, a small cafe, a departure lounge and a baggage reclaim hall while the ground floor hosts a gift shop, car hire and VIP lounges. Perhaps the most notable of amenities at Ireland West Airport however is the devoted media centre, where members of the media can congregate and write to their heart’s content.

Secured by Ireland’s National Police Service, An Garda Síochána, the airport runs under the feeling of safety and security allowing passengers to embark and disembark with the assurance that they are in a safe and caring environment.

At Ireland West Airport, the customer experience is of the utmost importance. As a result, great efforts have been made to ensure that passengers always have the necessary amenities should they require them. On-site retail and food options, public car parks and shuttle transfer options are all available for Irish West Airport in Knock Ireland, making it the perfect location for both holidaymakers and business travellers alike.

Overall, Ireland West Airport in Knock Ireland is a reliable destination for individuals and businesses seeking to travel to the western counties of Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. With its well-maintained facilities, welcoming staff and growing range of flight options, the airport has become an integral part of the western county’s transport network.

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John C

Hey, my name is John Conway and I love travelling around Ireland. I have a passion for All Things Ireland. I love the Emerald Isle! I love Guinness and green fields!

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