Planning a family holiday this year but not sure where to go? These new Ryanair routes might just be the solution!

As part of Ryanair’s plan for winter 2025/25, the budget airline has announced three new routes from Shannon Airport, and one of those exciting destinations is none other than Santa’s hometown, Lapland.

It’ll be a wonderful Christmastime regardless of whether you enjoy a spot of skiing or like to soak up some winter sun, as the other two destinations are Spanish capital Madrid and the picturesque island of Madeira, off the coast of Portugal.

There’s something for everyone from families with young children to older, retired couples, and it’s expected that there’ll be an increase of 100,000 passengers in Shannon Airport.

Ryanair’s announcement also sees an increase in the frequency of flights from Shannon to destinations such as Alicante, Edinburgh, Kraków, Lanzarote, Manchester, and Wrocław, if Lapland, Madeira and Madrid don’t particularly tickle your fancy.

The additional $100million (€87.7million) investment also sees the introduction of a ‘gamechanger’ of a new aircraft to Ryanair‘s fleet, its fourth to date.

The winter 2025/2026 season is expected to support over 1,500 local jobs, including 350 highly paid pilot, cabin crew, and engineer jobs.

Mary Considine, CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, said the Group is ‘delighted’ by the announcement, saying: ‘It’s great to have that service for families, particularly coming into the Christmas period.

‘So, we’re delighted with those announcements, but moreover, I think it’s in line with our own strategy to grow throughput through Shannon and to really maximise the use of this vital piece of strategic infrastructure for the state.’

We’re sure little ones will be beginning their parents to stay another day in Lapland, and Ms Consindine notes it’s a ‘really important market’ for the winter season.

‘It’s an opportunity for families that want to go to Lapland and visit Santa, but it’s also a really popular tourist destination for things like skiing as well,’ she explained.

‘And you would hope that people come into Ireland from Finland as well, so it goes both ways,’ Ms Consindine continued. ‘I think it’s very exciting, it’s a new destination, and I think it’ll be very popular.’

Well, what’re you waiting for? The countdown is on, it’s time to start planning your winter trip!