The Shannon Airport Group has begun work on the first airport-focused element of its 40 million EUR investment drive for 2026, with construction having now started on a 15 million EUR upgrade of the airport’s main terminal building.
Commencement of construction marks the beginning of the latest programme of works across Shannon Airport, all of which are aimed at enhancing overall passenger facilities and delivering long term sustainability improvements.
The project builds on a number of sustainability projects underway across the Group, including the replacement of the 1970s section of Shannon Airport’s main terminal building with a new, curved architectural façade, which has been designed to improve energy performance and facilitate the terminal’s transition to electric heat pump technology and new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems.
In addition, the wider project will also seek to provide improvements to the overall customer experience, with both the immigration and baggage halls set to be completely upgraded and toilets, lighting, flooring, signage and layouts all planned to be improved. A new dedicated entrance will also be built to handle European passengers.
The Airport will also lose its 1950s link corridor, saving approximately 62 tonnes of CO2 by eliminating the requirement to both heat and cool the older structure. As part of this change, new accommodations for Fixed Based Operators will be constructed within the Arrivals area of the terminal building.
Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Ray O’Driscoll said: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.
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.
Recently, The Shannon Airport Group has made a number of investments into both infrastructure and the customer journey itself, including 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.
All new works will be carried out by Galway based OCC Construction, with project completion expected in May 2027.
Additional projects included in The Shannon Airport Group’s 2026 40 million GBP investment programme include upgrading taxiways and the completion of Blocks Y & Z, two industrial units which will add approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible, sustainable space at the Shannon Airport Business Park.
