Private jets at Shannon Airport
Shannon is 25 km west-north-west of Limerick, with a 3,199-metre runway and the airport, customs and immigration, fuel and handling all open around the clock. Business aviation is handled by Signature, Universal Aviation and Westair among others. US Customs and Border Protection names Shannon, with Aruba, as a place where it preclears private and charter flights, so passengers can clear US entry here before flying on to an approved US airport.
- Longest runway
- 3,199 m
- Codes
- SNN · EINN
- Business aviation handling
- 3 handlers
Did you knowShannon opened in 1945 as Ireland's first transatlantic airport, and in 1947 it became the world's first duty-free airport. The Shannon Airport Group, A History of Innovation
One of 5 airports in our Ireland guide.
Charter a private jet to Shannon Airport
Shannon airport is about 24 km from Limerick and 22 km from Ennis (airport figures), with a 3,199 m runway and the airport, customs and handling open 24 hours. Private flights are handled by Signature, Universal Aviation or Westair. Flying on to the United States, a private jet can clear US entry here before take-off and then fly direct to an approved US airport.
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Independent UK charter broker since 2015 · Volairis Ltd, Companies House 09488748 · Member of The Air Charter Association
What the private terminal is like at Shannon
Partly. Signature describes a private terminal with passenger lounge, and Universal Aviation has a VIP lounge inside the main terminal. Universal's July 2026 guide says arriving passengers clear Irish customs in the main terminal arrivals hall, and that since 20 July 2026 all departing passengers, crew and baggage must go through Shannon Airport's central security search in the main terminal; the former ramp and vehicle-entry screening for business aviation is no longer available. Universal reports that the airport estimates a temporary dedicated business aviation screening point by 1 January 2027 (check for your date).
Signature Shannon
FBO at the Signature hangar, open 24 hours. Private terminal with passenger and crew lounges, customs and immigration listed on site, hangar space, de-icing and into-plane fuel. Says it has facilitated CBP preclearance since 1 March 2010.
Universal Aviation
Link Corridor, Shannon Airport. Hours 08:00-22:00, 24 hours on request. Operations office, VIP lounge, conference room and crew lounge inside the main terminal building. Its arrival and departure guide was updated on 30 July 2026.
Westair Aviation
Irish operator with an FBO and hangars at Shannon. Says its FBO runs 24/7 and arranges US preclearance while the aircraft is refuelled.
Customs at Shannon, step by step
What happens on an international flight, in the order you meet it. We handle the paperwork with the operator.
- When you book, we ask for each passenger's passport details for the operator.
- The handler sends passenger and crew details to Irish customs and immigration before you land. Unless the operator confirms in writing that everyone was security screened at the departure airport, the arrival is handled as a demarcated flight, which can slow the transfer from the aircraft.
- Private cars are not allowed on the ramp. Universal Aviation meets passengers at the aircraft and drives them to the main terminal, where Irish customs and immigration are open 24 hours; Signature lists customs on site.
- For an onward flight to the United States, the operator can book US preclearance, subject to CBP's appointment times. The APIS manifest goes to CBP first, then passengers, bags and the aircraft are inspected at Shannon, and CBP grants permission to land at the chosen approved US airport.
- Since 20 July 2026 departing passengers and bags go through the main terminal's central security, so Universal Aviation asks you to arrive 50 to 60 minutes before take-off. A separate business aviation screening point is planned, so check for your date.
Which private jets can use Shannon?
On runway length, every turboprop, very light jet, light jet, super light jet, midsize jet, super midsize, heavy jet, ultra long range and VIP airliner type is within it. The check below uses each type's published take-off distance at maximum weight, at sea level on a 15°C day. Heat, altitude, a wet runway and the operator's own rules can need more, so we confirm it for your aircraft and date.
No weight limit or prior permission for business jets is published. Taxiway C is daylight only and limited to wingspans under 36 m, aircraft wider than that are towed into the East Apron, and marshalling is mandatory on the West, Central and East aprons. US preclearance only works to US airports approved to handle precleared flights' international garbage.
| Aircraft class | On this runway |
|---|---|
| Turboprop 5–8 seats · take-off 730–1,000 m · Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Yes |
| Very light jet 4–5 seats · take-off 630–1,100 m | Yes |
| Light jet 6–7 seats · take-off 960–1,200 m · Embraer Phenom 300E | Yes |
| Super light jet 7–8 seats · take-off 820–1,350 m | Yes |
| Midsize jet 8–9 seats · take-off 1,100–1,660 m · Cessna Citation XLS+ | Yes |
| Super midsize 9–10 seats · take-off 1,400–1,600 m · Bombardier Challenger 350 | Yes |
| Heavy jet 12–14 seats · take-off 1,430–1,780 m · Dassault Falcon 7X | Yes |
| Ultra long range 13–19 seats · take-off 1,700–1,970 m · Bombardier Global 7500 | Yes |
| VIP airliner 18–50+ seats · take-off 1,500–2,100 m | Yes |
Worth knowing before you fly
- Heading on to the United States, a private or charter flight can clear US customs, immigration and agriculture checks at Shannon before take-off. CBP then grants permission to land through the preclearance itself, but only at US airports approved for precleared flights, so we check the destination first.
- Preclearance means the aircraft is inspected and all bags are presented to CBP, and the service depends on CBP timeslots and the facility's hours (listed as 09:00-17:00 Irish time). We book the appointment through the handler well ahead.
- Since 20 July 2026, departing passengers go through the main terminal's central security search rather than a private screening point, so Universal Aviation asks passengers to arrive 50-60 minutes before departure. A dedicated business aviation screening point is planned; check for your date.
- The airport, customs and fuel are open 24 hours, so very late arrivals are possible, but private cars cannot drive onto the ramp: the handler drives you between the aircraft and the terminal.
Events Shannon serves
From our events calendar: what the airport is used for, and the transfer to the venue on an ordinary day.
Operating information
For business and private flights. Details change, so we check them again for your date.
Airport
| Opening hours | The aerodrome operator, customs and immigration, air traffic services, fuel, handling and security are all H24 in the AIP for Ireland (AIRAC 29 October 2026). De-icing is H24 for scheduled operations, otherwise on prior notice. Signature lists its Shannon FBO as open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Universal Aviation's hours are 08:00-22:00, with 24 hours on request. Westair says its FBO operates 24/7, 365 days a year. |
|---|---|
| Prior permission | No prior permission requirement for business jets is published in the AIP. Universal Aviation says there are no slots or restrictions at Shannon. |
| Customs and immigration | Customs and immigration are H24 (AIP). Universal Aviation meets passengers and crew at the aircraft, drives them to the main terminal and escorts them through Irish customs, immigration and quarantine; it must give passenger and crew details to Irish CIQ in advance, and private transport is not permitted on the ramp. Signature lists customs and immigration on site. US preclearance: CBP has provided preclearance for general aviation (private and unscheduled charter flights) at Shannon since 1 March 2010. CBP's general aviation FAQ names Shannon and Oranjestad, Aruba as its general aviation preclearance locations and says that for a flight precleared there, permission to land is granted through the preclearance process, with no need to coordinate it with the US arrival port. Preclearance is point-to-point to a designated US airport approved to handle international regulated garbage under US Department of Agriculture rules. CBP's 2014 summary guide (still linked by the airport) says an APIS manifest must be sent before preclearance is requested, eligibility depends on timeslot availability and the facility's hours, passengers and baggage pass airport security screening before entering the CBP facility, and the aircraft is physically inspected. CBP lists the Shannon Preclearance facility's operating hours as 09:00-17:00 Irish time. Signature and Westair say they can arrange US preclearance, and Universal Aviation says it helped develop the process. |
| Slots | No slot coordination is published in the AIP. Universal Aviation says there are no slots at Shannon. |
| Noise and night restrictions | The AIP's noise abatement section only requires operators to fly in the way that causes the least disturbance practicable around the airport. No night restrictions or noise quotas are published. |
| Aircraft parking | Universal Aviation says parking for transit stops depends on aircraft size, availability and whether the flight must be demarcated, and that self-manoeuvring stands can take aircraft up to BBJ size when available. Overnight parking on the main ramp may be available for up to 2 days, with a separate ramp area for longer stays, all subject to availability. Marshalling is mandatory for arriving aircraft parking on the West, Central or East aprons (AIP). Hangar space for visiting aircraft is through Airport Operations (AIP); Signature lists hangar space. |
| De-icing | H24 for scheduled operations, otherwise prior notice is required; de-icing facilities through Airport Operations (AIP). Signature lists de-icing among its services. |
| Other restrictions | Universal Aviation says that, from July 2026, all general aviation arrivals are treated as needing security demarcation unless the operator confirms in writing before arrival that the flight came from an EU-compliant airport or one recognised under Section 4B of Ireland's National Civil Aviation Security Programme (the United States is included) and that everyone and all hold baggage were screened there. Demarcation can delay the transfer of passengers from the aircraft. Taxiway C is daylight only and limited to wingspans under 36 m, and aircraft over 36 m must be towed between Taxiway D1 and the East Apron (AIP). Helicopters must use the runway, not the aprons or taxiways, to land and take off (AIP). |
Runways
| 06/24 | 3,199 m, asphalt (grooved) |
|---|
By road
| Limerick | About 24 km (airport figure); 25 minutes, 27 km on the airport's drive-time table; the AIP places the airport 25 km west-north-west of Limerick City |
|---|---|
| Ennis | About 22 km (airport figure) |
| Galway | 1 hour 10 minutes, 94 km (airport drive-time table, from County Galway) |
| Cork | 1 hour 30 minutes, 124 km (airport drive-time table, from County Cork) |
| Dublin | 2 hours 30 minutes, 231 km (airport drive-time table, from County Dublin) |
Flying times
Airports near Shannon
Waterford
More airport guides nearby: Dublin Airport, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Hawarden Airport, Blackpool Airport.
Questions
Is there a private terminal at Shannon Airport?
Partly. Signature describes a private terminal with passenger lounge, and Universal Aviation has a VIP lounge inside the main terminal. Universal's July 2026 guide says arriving passengers clear Irish customs in the main terminal arrivals hall, and that since 20 July 2026 all departing passengers, crew and baggage must go through Shannon Airport's central security search in the main terminal; the former ramp and vehicle-entry screening for business aviation is no longer available. Universal reports that the airport estimates a temporary dedicated business aviation screening point by 1 January 2027 (check for your date).
What are Shannon Airport's opening hours for private flights?
The aerodrome operator, customs and immigration, air traffic services, fuel, handling and security are all H24 in the AIP for Ireland (AIRAC 29 October 2026). De-icing is H24 for scheduled operations, otherwise on prior notice. Signature lists its Shannon FBO as open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Universal Aviation's hours are 08:00-22:00, with 24 hours on request. Westair says its FBO operates 24/7, 365 days a year.
Can I clear customs at Shannon Airport on a private flight?
Customs and immigration are H24 (AIP). Universal Aviation meets passengers and crew at the aircraft, drives them to the main terminal and escorts them through Irish customs, immigration and quarantine; it must give passenger and crew details to Irish CIQ in advance, and private transport is not permitted on the ramp. Signature lists customs and immigration on site. US preclearance: CBP has provided preclearance for general aviation (private and unscheduled charter flights) at Shannon since 1 March 2010. CBP's general aviation FAQ names Shannon and Oranjestad, Aruba as its general aviation preclearance locations and says that for a flight precleared there, permission to land is granted through the preclearance process, with no need to coordinate it with the US arrival port. Preclearance is point-to-point to a designated US airport approved to handle international regulated garbage under US Department of Agriculture rules. CBP's 2014 summary guide (still linked by the airport) says an APIS manifest must be sent before preclearance is requested, eligibility depends on timeslot availability and the facility's hours, passengers and baggage pass airport security screening before entering the CBP facility, and the aircraft is physically inspected. CBP lists the Shannon Preclearance facility's operating hours as 09:00-17:00 Irish time. Signature and Westair say they can arrange US preclearance, and Universal Aviation says it helped develop the process.
What size of private jet can use Shannon?
The longest runway is 3,199 m. Going by each type's published take-off distance at maximum weight: every turboprop, very light jet, light jet, super light jet, midsize jet, super midsize, heavy jet, ultra long range and VIP airliner type is within it. No weight limit or prior permission for business jets is published. Taxiway C is daylight only and limited to wingspans under 36 m, aircraft wider than that are towed into the East Apron, and marshalling is mandatory on the West, Central and East aprons. US preclearance only works to US airports approved to handle precleared flights' international garbage. The operator confirms performance for your aircraft, load and date.
Which events do people fly to Shannon for?
On our events calendar: Ryder Cup (about 40 minutes by road). Slots and parking fill early on event dates, so book as soon as your plans are firm.
What are the fees for a private jet at Shannon?
Our quotes include landing and handling fees, along with fuel, crew and taxes. What the airport and handler charge depends mainly on the aircraft's size and the time of day. Out-of-hours, de-icing and special event fees can be extra, and we tell you which could apply before you book.
Can we have catering on a private flight to Shannon?
Yes. Tell us what you would like when you book and the operator orders it for the flight. Depending on the operator and region it is either included or charged separately, and we tell you which before you book.
Checked 13 November 2026 from the official AIP and published airport, government and handler information (airnav.ie, signatureaviation.com, universalaviation.aero, westair.ie, cbp.gov, snnairportgroup.ie, shannonairport.ie). Not for operational use; we confirm everything for your flight.
