Shannon Airport has had its best year for passenger and cargo traffic in 1998 according to the general manager, Aer Rianta Shannon, Mr Barry O'Shea.

The passenger numbers through the airport were 1.84 million, which was 18,000 more than in 1997, the previous best year. Overall terminal traffic at 1.43 million showed a growth of 7 per cent.

Mr O'Shea added the US market with an increase of 10 per cent was aided by the arrival of a new scheduled carrier, Continental Airlines, growth by Aer Lingus and also increased carrier traffic. The UK market increased by 11 per cent as a result of the introduction of new routes by AB Airlines. Virgin Express, which commenced operations in December, will add to the opportunities in 1999.

Domestic traffic increased marginally, but European traffic declined by 12 per cent, with the German and French markets performing particularly poorly, said Mr O'Shea. He revealed that transit traffic showed a decline of 15 per cent due to the ongoing reduction in Aeroflot traffic and the loss of TWA and Saudia Technical Transit Programme due to a changeover to longer range aircraft. Cargo throughput at 43,400 tonnes accounted for a dramatic increase of 21 per cent over 1997. This was due to continued growth by Cargolux, Lufthansa and Air France and the new services provided by Polar Air, said Mr O'Shea.