Summary:
- The Shannon Airport Group launches a €15 million terminal upgrade at Shannon Airport as part of a wider €40 million 2026 investment programme.
- A new energy-efficient façade will replace the 1970s structure, enabling electric heat pump integration and modern HVAC systems to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
- Refurbished immigration and baggage halls, enhanced wayfinding and redesigned passenger flows aim to streamline arrivals, reduce queues and elevate the end-to-end customer journey.
The Shannon Airport Group has commenced the first airport-focused element of its €40 million investment drive for 2026, with construction now underway on a €15 million upgrade of the Shannon Airport terminal building. This phase marks the beginning of the latest programme of works across Shannon Airport, aimed at enhancing passenger facilities and delivering long‑term sustainability improvements.
The project builds on the substantial sustainability work already underway across the Group. The 1970s section of Shannon Airport’s main terminal building will be replaced with a modern, curved architectural façade, designed to dramatically improve energy performance. This upgrade will help to facilitate the terminal’s transition to electric heat pump technology and new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems – enabling a move away from fossil fuel systems and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Passengers will also notice the physical impact to the terminal, with a striking, fresh, new look for the exterior.
In addition to its environmental benefits, this wider project will also deliver substantial improvements to the customer experience. The immigration and baggage halls will be completely upgraded. Arriving passengers can expect brighter, more contemporary spaces featuring upgraded toilets, improved lighting and flooring, clearer signage and new layouts. These refurbishments are designed to reduce queues and streamline passenger movement, including a dedicated new entrance for European passengers.
“The commencement of this €15 million arrivals area upgrade marks a significant step forward in our commitment to lowering emissions, improving energy performance and enhancing the customer experience at Shannon Airport,” said The Shannon Airport Group Interim CEO Ray O’Driscoll. “As part of our overall €40 million investment programme, this project will enable major carbon reductions while also modernising one of the most important parts of the terminal. This work builds on the numerous enhancements we’ve already delivered and is a further investment in our passengers and in a sustainable future.”
This investment continues the significant progress The Shannon Airport Group has made in recent years across both infrastructure and the customer journey. This includes the introduction of C3 security scanners, the addition of 1,000 new car parking spaces, installation of six new state‑of‑the‑art airbridges, enhanced flight information displays, introducing the Shannon Airport App, and in 2025 launching Ireland’s first on airfield Solar PV farm as well as newly refurbished European Gates 1-5.
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