The new airbridges will allow passengers to board aircraft directly from the airport terminal building without exposing them and airline crews to the elements. One airbridge was replaced between July 2022 and early 2023, with phase two of the project completed in recent weeks as the handover of the final five new airbridges took place.
The airbridge upgrade project, which cost more than €3.1m, saw the installation of six state-of-the-art airbridges, which are fully equipped with the latest passenger and aircraft safety technology, and capable of accommodating over 22 types of large aircraft, excluding some smaller regional jets.
The new airbridges were manufactured by CIMC-Tianda Airport Support in China, one of the largest global suppliers of passenger boarding bridges. With a lifespan of at least 20 years, the bridges not only enhance passenger experience but also reflect The Shannon Airport Group’s commitment to investing in durable and sustainable infrastructure solutions across its operations. Each bridge weighs 30 tonnes, with the installation of individual bridges taking approximately two weeks to complete.
The airbridge enhancement programme is part of a series of infrastructure upgrades completed by The Shannon Airport Group in recent years as the airport rebuilds its operations post-Covid. Projects completed with support from the Department of Transport under the Regional Airports Programme include Shannon’s €2.5m hi-tech security screening system and a €5.3m airfield rehabilitation project.
Niall Kearns, airport director at Shannon Airport, said: “Here at The Shannon Airport Group, we remain focused on future proofing our airport infrastructure in line with our commitment to ensuring the most efficient and seamless experience for our passengers. We are delighted to be heading into the busy summer travel season with six new airbridges in operation.
“We are very grateful for the funding support we have received from the Department of Transport, under the Regional Airports Programme, which made it possible for us to complete these significant upgrades.”
