Andrew Murphy: Md Shannon Airport
One of the first sites you see upon entering Shannon Airport is a striking, interactive and immersive space designed to give a flavour of what visitors can expect to see and do along the Wild Atlantic Way. The airport has become a key access point for people coming to experience the Wild Atlantic Way and has a huge economic impact on the local area.
“We are a community based airport, making our airport easy to use and accessible to all is important to us,” says Andrew Murphy, Managing Director of Shannon Airport a Shannon Group company.
“The Shannon Group is about helping to deliver a vibrant thriving economy in our region. We do this by having an airport that provides vital air services for businesses and tourism, a compelling tourist offering, an attractive location to set up a business and a dynamic environment for aviation companies to grow. All making our region a great place to work, live, enjoy a holiday and a great place to set up a business.
“Our sister company, Shannon Heritage has eight day visitor attractions and four evening entertainment options many of them within easy access to the airport, Like Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and Craggaunowen visitor attractions in Co. Clare and King John’s Castle in Limerick City,” he said.
Shannon Airport has a fascinating history. Last year it celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first passenger aircraft landing and is the birthplace of the world’s first duty free which was established 1947.
“The airport is built on innovation, it’s in our DNA. It was the first airport in the world, outside of the Americas, to provide full US Preclearance facilities making arrival in the US easier and faster. We have the longest runway in Ireland at 3,200 metres and we are the only Irish airport that can accommodate the world’s largest jet the Antonov AN 225. In 2017 we became the first airport in Europe to open an airport sensory room for our customers with Autism and Special needs,” said Mr. Murphy.
A number of famous faces have passed through Shannon Airport throughout the years.
“We have a wall of fame at the airport with photos of famous visitors. Every US President since John F Kennedy’s visit in 1963 has been through Shannon Airport. We have also welcomed Nelson Mandela, Marilyn Monroe, Mohammed Ali, Mick Jagger and many others,” he said.
So, what’s next for Shannon Airport? “Over the past number of years we have invested in enhancing our retail, dining, duty free, transit lounge and executive lounge facilities. In 2020 we added new services to Paris, Barcelona and Vienna and more transatlantic capacity with Aer Lingus. We are constantly looking at new ways to make it easy for our customers. We know that our customers appreciate the ease of access we provide, for example from the airport car park to departure gate is less than 15 minutes. We are committed to making our visitors time at the airport a fantastic and memorable experience,” he said.