Shannon Airport expects more than 50,000 passengers over October bank holiday

The Irish airport forecasts a 9% increase in holiday-period traffic after a million-passenger summer, as travellers prepare for updated hand-luggage screening rules.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Shannon Airport forecasts more than 50,000 passengers over the October 2026 bank holiday, 9% more than the comparable period in 2025.
• The airport handled more than one million passengers between May and August 2026.
• Departing passengers may carry liquids, aerosols and gels in containers of up to two litres through Shannon security.
• The airport advises arriving two hours before European departures and three hours before transatlantic flights.

More than 50,000 passengers are expected to pass through Shannon Airport during Ireland’s October bank holiday period, a projected 9% rise on the same holiday a year ago, as the west-of-Ireland gateway heads into the winter travel season following a strong summer.

The forecast, published by The Shannon Airport Group on 20 October 2026, covers travel through the airport over the upcoming holiday period. It is an estimate of passenger traffic rather than a final count, and reflects the airport’s expectation that demand for trips to destinations in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States will remain robust.

Shannon welcomed more than one million passengers between May and August 2026. The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation also identified it as Ireland’s fastest-growing major airport during that four-month summer period, according to the group. The seasonal results provide a backdrop to the bank holiday projection and the airport’s preparations for winter operations.

Travel growth and a changing route network

Niall Kearns, Airport Director at Shannon Airport, said the expanded route network had given passengers from the surrounding region and elsewhere in Ireland more travel options. He attributed the growth to demand for airport services and the work of its employees and airline partners.

The airport is also highlighting its customer-service performance. According to the group, Shannon was recently recognised as Ireland’s leading travel brand in the 2026 Ireland Customer Experience Insights (CXi) Report, an accolade Kearns said reflected the airport’s emphasis on the passenger experience.

What passengers should know before travelling

For departures from Shannon, updated security-screening technology permits liquids, aerosols and gels in individual containers of up to two litres in hand luggage, replacing the former 100-millilitre limit. The airport introduced the change in September following further upgrades to its screening equipment. Passengers should nevertheless check the rules at their return or connecting airports, where different restrictions may still apply.

Shannon recommends arriving at least two hours before European flights and three hours before transatlantic departures. Passengers using the airport’s five car parks can choose facilities located between approximately 30 seconds and seven minutes on foot from the terminal. The airport also recommends booking parking in advance and using the Shannon Airport app for travel information.

The coming bank holiday offers another test of Shannon’s recent momentum. Actual passenger volumes will only be established after the travel period, but the current projection points to a busier October break than in 2025 as the airport enters its winter schedule.