Kerry Airport has reported the highest passenger numbers in its history, with 440,367 travellers passing through its doors in 2025. The total represents a 5.5% increase on 2024 figures, an additional 22,958 passengers, and surpasses the previous all-time high of 423,000 recorded in 2008.
Chief Financial Officer Basil Sheerin welcomed the milestone, saying: “We are proud to announce record passenger figures after our busiest ever year at Kerry Airport. All routes performed well, the UK and Dublin in particular. It’s an ideal springboard as we look forward to another year of growth in 2026.”
Flights between Kerry and its three UK destinations, Manchester, London Luton, and London Stansted, continued to perform exceptionally, with 221,814 passengers recorded in 2025, a 7.4% increase on the previous year. The domestic Kerry–Dublin service also delivered impressive results. A total of 122,506 passengers used the twice-daily Ryanair connection, reflecting 7% year-on-year growth and highlighting the route’s ongoing popularity.
Sun destinations in Spain and Portugal saw marginal increases, while seasonal French services operated by Chalair from June to September attracted strong demand. Meanwhile, the long-standing German route to Frankfurt-Hahn remained a favourite, bringing more than 30,000 passengers to the region in 2025.
Kerry Airport has launched its Spring/Summer 2026 schedule, which includes increased frequencies on services to Spain, Portugal, and the UK with Ryanair. Chalair will also resume its summer route to Brive, continuing the French offering. Recent improvements to the airport’s facilities aim to provide a more comfortable travel experience, with management confident that the upgrades will encourage even more passengers to choose Kerry Airport as their preferred departure and arrival point in 2026.
Applications Invited for CEO Position
Kerry Airport is inviting applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Reporting to the Board, the CEO has full executive accountability for the airport’s commercial performance, strategic direction and long-term sustainability. The role ensures safe, compliant, and high-quality operations while strengthening regional connectivity and maximising stakeholder value.
The Successful Candidate will:
- Provide strategic and commercial leadership to drive sustainable growth
- Lead operational, financial, and capital investment programmes
- Secure new airline routes and diversify revenue streams
- Build strong relationships with government, regulators, airlines, and partners
- Foster a high-performance, values-driven culture with a strong focus on safety and governance
Candidate Profile
- Proven senior executive leadership experience (CEO, Managing Director, or equivalent)
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable P&L and financial leadership experience
- Track record of stakeholder engagement and influence at senior level
- Strategic, resilient decision-maker with excellent communication skills
- Commitment to sustainability, governance, and operational excellence
Desirable
- Experience delivering capital or infrastructure projects
- Knowledge of Irish or European aviation regulation
- Direct airport or aviation experience advantageous but not essential
- Candidates with strong transferable commercial and leadership capability are encouraged to apply.
Applications, including a comprehensive CV and cover letter, should be submitted in confidence to kerryairport@morganmckinley.com by the closing date of 31st January 2026.
