⚠️ Reference & Statistical Notice: Data presented on RunwayFacts is compiled from public domain aviation registries for technical comparison and research. Not for flight planning or real-time operational aviation use.
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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Shannon Airport

Shannon, County Clare (Ireland)
IATA: SNN ICAO: EINN
Longest Active Runway
10,495 ft
3,199 meters
Field Elevation
46 ft
14 m MSL
Runway Inventory
1 active
Lighted / Paved
Coordinates & Class
52.7020°, -8.9248°
LARGE AIRPORT
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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →
RunwayFacts Published Dataset
#495 of 650
In curated primary commercial index
Global Commercial Universe
#795 of 7558
Top 10.5% percentile worldwide
National Standing (Ireland)
#1 in IE
#1 of 15 in full national registry
vs Large Airport Median
+5%
Compared to 10,000 ft baseline
💡 Statistical Statement: Shannon Airport's longest active runway measures 10,495 ft (3,199 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #495. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #795 worldwide (Top 10.5%) and #1 nationally in Ireland.
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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Shannon Airport (SNN)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Shannon Airport holds unique historic and modern strategic significance on the western edge of Europe. Its 10,500 ft runway 06/24 was originally laid out to accommodate fully loaded early transoceanic airliners like the Lockheed Constellation and Boeing 707. Today, SNN remains a vital Atlantic diversion threshold, backed by full US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities that allow US-bound flights to arrive at domestic gates.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments
Primary Runway 06/24 (10,500 ft / 3,199 m) supplemented by crosswind Runway 13/31 (5,639 ft / 1,719 m).
Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities
Opened in 1942 on the Shannon estuary as the eastern anchor of early transatlantic piston aviation. Pioneered the world's first Duty Free shop in 1947 and introduced the first US Border Preclearance facility outside North America in 1986.
Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role
Features a runway nearly 2,000 ft longer than Cork (ORK) and historically handled transatlantic fuel stops bypassed by Dublin (DUB).
Data Nuances & Operational Quirks
Primary emergency diversion destination for North Atlantic ETOPS commercial flights experiencing medical, mechanical, or fuel emergencies.
📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Ireland National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards
Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.
ICAO Code 4D / 4E Heavy Intercontinental
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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Shannon Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 46 ft (14 m MSL) in Shannon. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Features a runway nearly 2,000 ft longer than Cork (ORK) and historically handled transatlantic fuel stops bypassed by Dublin (DUB). The facility operates as an isolated regional aviation anchor with no other major paved commercial aerodromes within 100 NM.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 10,495 ft (3,199 m)

Shannon Airport's active flight strips comprise 06/24 (10,495 ft). With a longest active threshold of 10,495 ft (3,199 m), the primary runway accommodates transcontinental twin-engine widebodies and long-range narrowbody airliners at standard operational weights.

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator Length (ft / m) Width (ft / m) Surface Material Lighting Status
06/24 10,495 ft (3199m) 148 ft (45m) Asphalt (ASP) ✅ Lighted ✅ Active

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database
Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01
Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected
Source Verification: Source-reported registry data
Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/snn.json ↗