Shannon Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Shannon Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

March 23, 2024 - last modified on March 14, 2024

Shannon Intl. Airport (SNN/EINN) is located in the County Clare in the Republic of Ireland just halfway between Limerick and Ennis. The airport only handles 1,6 million passenger a year, but is famous for its various colorful traffic: aircraft stopping by for refilling, airplanes diverting due to medical problems or planes coming in as regular technical stops bevor/after crossing the atlantic ocean. In addition, SNN also hosts painting facilities as well as maintenance/company hangars for Atlantic Aviation Group, CHC Ltd. Ryanair, IAC Ltd. Westair and ASL.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Donal Morrissey. Last Update: Spring 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
06/24	3200 x 45m
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is very useful at all spots to clear the fence completely. Otherwise you have to try to shoot thru the mesh.
Car/Public Transport	A car is needed for the spots on the western side, the spots on the east can be reached by bus and foot somehow.
Drinks/Food	No restaurant around most spots, but traffic is not that regular that you could not fit in to go somewhere for food/drinks.
Hotels	No spotter hotels located around SNN.
Season	There is no season regarding traffic, there is always roughly the same amount of special visitors. However, summer is better due to the weather and longer days!
Security	Spotting is no issue at SNN, but keep off the ground of private companies and do not hang along/at the fence! Come, take your shot and leave again!
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 06/24 is the only still active runway, the four other strips were closed!

	Spot #1 – Viewing Park – 06/24 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located next to Atlantic Aviation Group Hangar 1. As you turn left off the main road for the Hangar take the next left before the Entrance to Hangar Car Park. This narrow lane will bring you the the entrance to the Viewing Park where you can find car parking spaces for free. You will see the viewing mound to left as you enter the viewing park.

WHAT	From here you can see all 06/24 runway movements except small aircraft will be too high/off the runway here already. In the back you can also spot some parts of the apron and taxiways.

TIME	From early afternoon till sunset in summer, in winter almost not useable.

MISC.	A two/three step is useful to keep the fence out of your pictures, but you can also work without ladder! Nothing around like shops or toilets!

FOCAL LENGTH	70-400mm B744 side on = 70mm

	Spot #2 – Northern Industrial area – 24 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located in Shannon Industrial Estate along the roads running along the fence. The area is easy to reach by car and offers plenty of parking spaces which are often occupied on busy weekdays, but ideal on weekends. There is also running a bus from the terminal which may be helpful, but for walking it is quiet far away!

WHAT	Great for 24 arrivals.

TIME	In winter all day, in summer from sunrise till late noon.

MISC.	A 3 stepladder can be useful to clear the view 100% over the fence. Nothing around like shops/toilets. Keep a low profile as you are surrounded by companies and they do not love spotters hanging around here for ages.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm Gulfstream 6 = 230mm

	Spot #3 – Crash gate Industrial area – 06/24 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located in Shannon Industrial Estate behind the Palm leaf shop. Once you are there, position yourself on the footpath and walk down to the fence once an aircraft is passing by only – DO NOT hang at the fence/crash gate all the time. The area is easy to reach by car and offers plenty of parking spaces which are often occupied on busy weekdays, but ideal on weekends. There is also running a bus from the terminal which may be helpful, but for walking it is quiet far away!

WHAT	24 Arrivals as well as line-ups/departures plus most 06 movements. In addition, also the taxiways just in front.

TIME	In winter all day, in summer from sunrise till late noon. Haze on the runway may be an issue on hot summer days.

MISC.	A 3 stepladder is needed to clear the view over the fence. Nothing around like shops/toilets. DO NOT HANG OUT at the crash gate/fence! Take your picture and return to your vehicle or public footpaths. Radio scanners are helpful here so you can get to the fence just in time so you do not have to stand there all the time! Keep a low profile as you are surrounded by companies and they do not love spotters hanging around here for ages.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm A320 on runway = 280mm / AN12 on taxiway = 65mm

	Spot #4 – Westair – GA ramps
WHERE	This spot is located in the southern part of the Shannon Industrial area just along Lindbergh Ave north of the Westair ramp. You can take the bus from the terminal, walk from the terminal (~25 min) or take the car. However, do not stand around here at all: come, take your picture quickly and leave again!

WHAT	From here you can spot various general aviation ramps around the spot: Area 9 and the Westair ramp.

TIME	From here you can spot various ramps around the spot thus the best time varies due to the angle: spot can work all day depending on where you shoot. Area 9: sunrise till early noon / Westair ramp: early afternoon till sunset

MISC.	A 3 step ladder is needed to clear the fence here. Nothing around here except a starbucks restaurant. Do not hang around here at all: come, take your picture quickly and leave again!

FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm F900 in front = 80mm / Gulfstream 5 on ramp = 230mm

	Spot #5 – Crash gate fields – 06 Movements + 24 Departures
WHERE	This spot can be found at the end of a dead end road just at the fence where you can only get to by car, no public transport at all! Pass Honk bar and drive down the road for 3 more minutes to the fence.

WHAT	From here you can see 06 Movements and 24 Departures.

TIME	Afternoon till sunset, useable in summer only!

MISC.	Do not hang at the fence at all! Come, take your shot and leave again! A ladder is needed to clear the fence though! Do not enter the fields around here: they are private land and farmers will kick you out and call the police! Drive carefully on the dead end road as it is very narrow and you may face big agricultural vehicles on your way.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-300m B777 arriving = 70mm