Shannon Airport (EINN) remains one of Europe’s most efficient business aviation tech stops due to its trans-Atlantic location, competitive fuel pricing, U.S. CBP pre-clearance availability, and no VAT on international uplifted fuel. However, effective January 1, 2026, updated Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) security procedures introduced changes to charter general aviation passenger screening that also affect the U.S. CBP pre-clearance flow at Shannon. While the airport remains fully operational for GA, charter passengers must now complete terminal security screening prior to CBP processing, reducing VIP discretion and changing the overall departure experience. Operators should plan carefully and proactively brief passengers, particularly high-profile charter clients.

Airport Options

Shannon is the primary business aviation airport for Western Ireland. EINN is located approximately 14 miles from the nearest major town, Limerick. The present condition of the tarmac, taxiways, and runways is good, and there is no airport construction currently underway. While hangars are available for transient business aircraft, space is limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Scheduled commercial operations are minimal and generally do not impact GA. Peak airline activity typically occurs between 0630–1000 local.

Shannon operating hours

Shannon is open 24/7 with 24/7 Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) services, depending on whether passengers enter Ireland. There are no Stage 2 noise restrictions, no airport slots, and no PPR requirement. The runway is the second longest in Europe.

PPR

PPR is not required at Shannon.

Slots

Slots are not required at Shannon.

Parking

There are no restrictions on length of stay at Irish airports; however, aircraft parking areas at EINN are assigned based on aircraft weight. Aircraft relocation on the field is uncommon, and crews are notified in advance if repositioning is required.

Parking fees are calculated in 30-minute blocks for aircraft up to the size of a Global 6000 or Gulfstream G550. No parking charges apply between 2300–0600 local. Larger aircraft park in a separate area and incur higher charges.

Handling & Equipment

Shannon offers excellent ground handling availability for business aviation operators. Landing permit requirements and operating restrictions are minimal, a full range of third-party services is available, and costs are competitive.

While best practice is to provide 24-hour notice, short-notice arrivals are generally possible with handler coordination. Universal Aviation Ireland has maintained a presence at Shannon for more than 20 years and will coordinate with airport authorities once aircraft schedule, tail number, aircraft type, flight type, and crew/passenger details are received.

Towing is generally not required for small and midsize aircraft, as parking is self-maneuvering. For larger aircraft (BBJ-size and above), towbars are available when required. Email remains the preferred method of communication with handlers unless the request is urgent.

Ramp inspections by the Irish Aviation Authority may occur but are typically brief and non-disruptive.

Shannon (EINN) Arrivals – Caution – Shannon Approach Airspace is a Level Bust Hotspot Area.

Ensure altimeter set to Hectopascals (HPA) when instructed by Shannon Approach.

Level busts continue to occur involving aircraft on approach to Shannon Airport. A disproportionate amount of these occurrences are by non-scheduled aircraft. A common causal factor is flight crew not setting the correct unit of measurement on the aircraft altimeter. Please ensure that you have hectopascals selected and not inches of mercury when instructed by Shannon Approach.

FBOs and hangarage

Hangars are available for transient business aircraft but remain limited and are allocated on a first-come basis.

Passenger Screening (Charter GA) – Updated January 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, updated IAA security regulations introduced procedural changes for charter general aviation departures at Shannon.

Charter passengers are no longer permitted to screen at dedicated GA or VIP security locations. Instead, all charter passengers must complete security screening through the main terminal central security search area, escorted at all times by their handling agent.

Key changes include:

• Walk-through metal detectors are no longer used for primary screening

• Passengers are screened using advanced security scanners

• Cabin baggage is screened using EDS C3 equipment

• Dedicated GA or VIP screening locations are no longer permitted for charter passengers

Passengers are fast-tracked through a staff lane to help maintain schedule integrity; however, the experience is less discreet than in previous years, particularly for VIP charter clients. Operators should proactively brief passengers on these changes.

Ground Transportation

Third-party vehicles are generally not permitted airside, except in limited, pre-approved circumstances authorized by the Airport Authority.

For charter departures, passenger movements to and from terminal security screening are coordinated by the handling agent prior to escort back to the aircraft.

Rental cars may be advantageous for more extended stays in Ireland but are not ideal for crews on shorter stays. Keep in mind that while primary roads in Ireland are good, secondary roads can be very narrow, and you’ll be driving on the left side of the road. Roads are well marked, and a GPS isn’t really needed.

Be sure to take out full rental car insurance coverage. In Ireland, a “standard” rental car is the equivalent to a sub-compact in the US, and you’ll usually be given a standard shift, unless you specify automatic transmission.

For shorter stays, pre-paid transport (car with driver) is often the best option and can be arranged via your ground handler.

Hotels

Many good hotel options are available in the Shannon area. Accommodation options in Shannon range from B&Bs to castles. When staying overnight at Shannon, for example, you have a choice of local hotels or the 5-star Dromoland castle, or you can go to the closest town, Limerick, to find international hotel chain accommodations. Hotels in Ireland are typically less expensive than comparable accommodations at many other locations in Europe.

Adare Manor is another 5-star option, recently voted the No. 1 Resort in the world by Conde Nast, that will host the 2027 Ryder Cup.

Universal Aviation Shannon will often be able to find you better rates and terms than if you book accommodations via travel websites. For example, it may be possible to arrange early check-in/check-out at no cost or lower cost and have the hotel include extras such as breakfast and Internet. You also may be able to obtain more flexible cancellation policies when working with your ground handler and/or 3rd-party provider. Plus, you will still earn points and credit towards elite status if you are booking with a major hotel chain. Finally, suppose there is an issue with a hotel booking. In that case, your local handler will have better negotiation power than a consumer website due to their established hotel relationships.

Fuel

A fuel release or fuel card is required for fuel uplifts at Shannon. Payment by Credit card is not accepted. Arrangements for aircraft fuel uplift and services will be set up as needed

Jet fuel prices in Ireland – particularly in Shannon (EINN) – are among the lowest in Europe.

Service levels for fuel and additional services are excellent, and availability is good. Best practice is to take the time to confirm fuel uplifts, as well as 4th-party vendor services, 24 hours before your estimated time of arrival (ETA).

EINN is the only airport in Ireland with hydrant fuel, which is available 24/7. Large aircraft are automatically given the hydrant option. However, airport authorities prefer that smaller aircraft not use hydrant fuel, as using it will occupy stands for larger aircraft. Truck (aka “bowser”) and hydrant (aka “pod”) fuel price options are more or less the same. Quick turns – wheels down to wheels up – are possible in Ireland within 45 minutes. No AVGAS or Prist fuel additives are available at EINN. If you require Prist at EINN, you’ll need to bring it with you and add it yourself.

Catering

Shannon has on-airport in-flight catering options with catering menus available. Approved airport in-flight caterers have access to the airside, while other catering – from hotels and restaurants – can be dropped off with your ground handler and delivered to your aircraft. Liquid limitations of 100 ml for security do not apply to the delivery of catering or food items.

You can check  Air Culinaire Worldwide to see catering options and menus available.

Security

EINN has a two-meter-high perimeter fence, radar ground movement detection systems, high-definition surveillance cameras, perimeter patrols every 60 minutes, and airport police on patrol 24/7. Private security is permitted on the ramp so long as the provider is pre-approved and unarmed. There’s a private security company available to guard aircraft at the client’s request, and they carry appropriate identification. Protection of government aircraft can be arranged with the local police or the Irish army. Personal security – either on- or off-airport – is not recommended for crew members or passengers, as there aren’t any security concerns.

Customs

Customs will be notified of arrival. For international tech stops where passengers and crew remain onboard and do not enter Ireland, Irish customs clearance and luggage offload are not required. For arrivals involving passenger entry into Ireland, standard immigration and customs procedures apply.

U.S. CBP Pre-Clearance

Shannon remains the only airport in Ireland offering U.S. CBP pre-clearance for business aviation.

Important procedural update: Under updated IAA procedures effective January 1, 2026, charter passengers must complete terminal security screening through the main terminal prior to entering the U.S. CBP pre-clearance process.

A typical fuel uplift and CBP pre-clearance turnaround remains approximately 45–60 minutes.

CBP operating hours

• May 1 – September 30
  • 0700–1500 local
  • Out-of-hours: 1500–2100 local
• October 1 – April 30
  • 0900–1700 local
  • Out-of-hours: 0700–0900 and 1700–2100 local

A minimum 24-hour notice is required for all CBP bookings (48 hours strongly recommended). eAPIS must be filed at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

CBP clearance flow at Shannon

Once a CBP appointment is confirmed:

• CBP appointment scheduled approximately 30 minutes after arrival

• Aircraft arrives and parks on stand

• Crew may service aircraft prior to CBP processing

• Two crew members escorted for CBP processing while one remains onboard

• CBP agents conduct internal and external inspections

• Hold baggage must be fully accessible

• Final crew clearance completed onboard or at facility

• Electronic CBP clearance confirmation issued following completion

Our Shannon Pre-clearance article has more details.

Vat Refunds

Regarding VAT refunds, please note the following;

Any receipt or voucher, with the value being under €2000.00 for each individual item on the receipt/voucher, can be taken to be stamped & posted by a Universal agent, with no need for the item to be physically inspected.

For any receipt or voucher, with any individual items being €2,000 or over each, the goods must be presented to Customs, along with the receipt/voucher before any VAT refund will be approved.

Customs require 24 hours’ notice if a passenger has an item over the value of 2000 euros particularly if the passenger is arriving on an a/c that is operating into EINN out of hours and there is no customs officer on site. Irish Customs will always have an agent on call 24/7, but if they do NOT receive the required notice, they may not be able to inspect the goods. IF Passengers who have items over the value of 2000 euros will not receive a vat refund if those items are not inspected.

Tech Stops

Tech stop turns at EINN – are quick and normally under 45 minutes. While there are no CIQ requirements for crew members or passengers during tech stops in Ireland, security screening may be required if crew members or passengers enter the terminal during a tech stop.

Weather

Weather issues seldom impact operations at airports in Ireland. In fact, Shannon (EINN) has one of the best records in Europe for the least weather-related airport closures. The climate is generally moderate in Ireland, with very rare incidences of airport snow or ice buildup. De-icing may be required during the period from late November to early February. Cross winds at EINN are seldom problematic, and it’s rare that an aircraft will have to circle due to local weather or wind issues.

Conclusion

Shannon (EINN) remains one of Europe’s most reliable and cost-effective business aviation tech stops. While charter passenger screening and CBP pre-clearance flow changed effective January 1, 2026, the airport’s core advantages—long runway, low fuel costs, no VAT, and U.S. CBP pre-clearance—remain unchanged. With proper planning and passenger briefing, Shannon continues to be an operator-friendly gateway for trans-Atlantic operations.