Shannon Airport’s summer is off to a flying start with five percent growth achieved in passenger numbers last month compared to May 2014.

The biggest growth market was the US, the highest spending market for inbound tourism, with an 18% increase across the airport’s US network, which has services to Boston, Chicago, JFK New York, Newark and Philadelphia – in May.

Reflecting on the month, Shannon Group CEO Neil Pakey said, “We are having a really good start to the summer season again.  The airport is busy, there’s a great buzz here, we are seeing more inbound tourists and the Irish economy is continuing to rebound so outbound passengers are also on the rise. All this is reflected in growth last month.

“From an inbound perspective the US is a hugely important market and the 18% growth in May will be well received in tourism related businesses across the region. We are also up by 15% in terms of European passengers and 3% on London, the single biggest city market for Shannon by far.

“Our overall growth of 5% is very pleasing considering last month, in comparison with May 2014, we were without Stoabart Air services on UK provincial routes.  However, Stobart returns this month with what will be a busy Birmingham service and we are looking forward to our June passenger numbers being well up on last year as a result.”