Transport in Ireland
Rank Airport Runways Max Length Passengers Change 2015-2016
1 Dublin 2 2,637 m ( 8,652 ft ) 31,319,419 6.3%
2 Belfast International 2 2,780 m ( 9,120 ft ) 6,268,960 7.4%
3 Belfast City 1 1,829 m ( 6,001 ft ) 2,511,261 1.9%
4 Cork 2 2,133 m ( 6,998 ft ) 2,387,806 3.8%
5 Shannon 1 3,199 m ( 10,495 ft ) 1,677,611 4.9%
6 Ireland West Airport 1 2,340 m ( 7,680 ft ) 775,063 3.5%
7 Kerry 1 2,000 m ( 6,600 ft ) 365,339 8.9%
8 City of Derry 1 1,969 m ( 6,460 ft ) 185,843 4.2%
9 Donegal 1 1,496 m ( 4,908 ft ) 46,537 0.0%
10 Connemara 1 600 m ( 2,000 ft ) 15,322 6.8%
11 Inishmore 1 490 m ( 1,610 ft ) 8,814 5.6%
Aviation
For 2018 the passenger numbers were as follows : [ 24 ] [ 25 ]
Most of the transport system in Ireland is in public hands, either side of the Irish border. The Irish road network has evolved separately in the two jurisdictions into which Ireland is divided, while the Irish rail network was mostly created prior to the partition of Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, the Minister for Transport, acting through the Department of Transport, is responsible for the State's road network, rail network, public transport, airports and several other areas. Although some sections of road have been built using private or public-private funds, and are operated as toll roads, they are owned by the Government of Ireland. The rail network is also state-owned and operated, while the government currently still owns the main airports. Public transport is mainly in the hands of a statutory corporation, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), and its subsidiaries, Bus Átha Cliath (Dublin Bus), Bus Éireann (Irish Bus), and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail). On 1 November 2005, the Irish government published the Transport 21 plan which includes €18bn for improved roads and €16bn for improved rail, including the Western Railway Corridor and the Dublin Metro. The Republic of Ireland's transport sector is responsible for 21% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. In Northern Ireland, the road network and railways are in state ownership. The Department for Infrastructure is responsible for these and other areas (such as water services). Two of the three main airports in Northern Ireland are privately operated and owned. The exception is City of Derry Airport, which is owned and funded by Derry City Council.