Hundreds of passengers have begun arriving into Shannon Airport this week for the airport’s busiest Christmas since pre-pandemic times.
Flights New York, Boston and London landed this morning, after planes from Warsaw and Malaga touched down yesterday.
After two years of the festive season being curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions, this year is the first time since 2019 that Christmas celebrations return as normal.
With the lifting of restrictions, comes a bounce back in the numbers travelling home for the holidays.
Up to 75,000 passengers are expected to travel through Shannon Airport between now and the New Year – the busiest period for the airport in three years.
Families began reuniting at the regional airport yesterday, with the arrival of the Warsaw flight at 10.30am.
June O’Loughlin was waiting to collect her niece Molly Magner, a veterinary student in Poland, who decided to surprise her parents with an early visit home.
There were more surprises as best friends Naomi and Leah shared an emotional reunion.
Naomi touched down from Poland only to be surprised by newly arrived Leah from Sydney.
Both girls plan on celebrating together over Christmas.
The day was made all the more special as arrivals were greeted by carol singing from local school children.
St. Senan’s National school in Shannon performed for the crowd on Tuesday, while arrivals this morning were entertained by St. John’s National School.
Acting principal and choir coordinator at St. Senan’s, Kate Liddy, says being able to sing at Shannon Airport this week gives the children an experience they missed out on during the pandemic.
Listen to the full interview here:
