Shannon Airport has announced that it has recorded an annual profit in it’s first year of becoming independent from the Dublin Airport Authority. The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has said the newly independent airport has exceeded his expectations  in recording a profit in its first year of operation.

Shannon Airport formally separated from the (DAA) in January of 2013 and recorded a marginal increase in passenger numbers to 1.4 million in its first 12 months as an independent body. It is impressive news following the previous five years of decline.

The Shannon Group plc chairwoman Rose Hynes commented on the news by saying that “The airport has paid its own way since separation. Absolutely, no doubt about it.” In contrast Mr. Varadkar admitted that he was surprised by the results that Shannon Airport had been profitable in its first independent year stating “I thought it would take three years for that to happen.”