Rugby fans boosted airport traffic at Dublin and Cork airports

The Daa posted turnover of €459m, an increase of 55%, driven by activity at Dublin Airport. The Government officially lifted most of pandemic restrictions at the beginning of 2022, with Dublin Airport crumbling under pressure as eager travellers swarmed to fly abroad. Pic:  Brian Lawless

Thousands of Irish Rugby World Cup watchers boosted passenger traffic at Dublin Airport last month as numbers reached almost 3 million, according to the airport operator the Daa.

The level of passenger traffic was 11% higher than the same month a year earlier as people continue to splurge on travel plans despite a stubborn inflation.

Daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said that the Daa plans to expand capacity at Dublin Airport to satisfy demand.

“The Daa will submit an application to Fingal County Council shortly to grow beyond the current 32 million cap in order to support the population increase and continue to support new jobs growth and connectivity for Ireland,” he said.

"Until planning permission to grow beyond 32 million is granted, daa will continue to manage the passenger capacity through the terminals at Dublin Airport to ensure that current planning restrictions are not breached,” he added.

The total number of passengers flying through Dublin Airport in the months of the summer season from June to September, the peak season for the airport, reached 12 million.

Around 800,000 passengers transferred or transited through Dublin Airport during the four summer months, including 200,000 in September.

Meanwhile, Cork Airport also experienced a busy September, as thousands of passengers from the South of Ireland flocked to hotter climates.

Cork Airport’s passenger numbers increased 12% to 260,000 in September compared to last year, also boosted by rugby fans travelling to France for the World Cup.

“I have no doubt that October will be another busy month for Cork Airport as some new routes like Barcelona, Paris Beauvais and Fuerteventura come on stream. Towards the end of the month, thousands will jet into Cork for the annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, a highlight of the Cork event calendar with Cork Airport as a proud festival partner,” said Mr Jacobs.

In a recent statement on the Daa’s performance during the first six months, it reported that passenger numbers flying in and out of the Republic’s two busiest airports reached 17 million, compared to 13 million in the same period last year.

The Daa posted turnover of €459m, an increase of 55%, driven by activity at Dublin Airport. The Government officially lifted most of pandemic restrictions at the beginning of 2022, with Dublin Airport crumbling under pressure as eager travellers swarmed to fly abroad.

“Security queue times at Dublin Airport have improved month on month, with 92% of passengers getting through security in less than 20 minutes between January and June this year,” said Mr Jacobs.

Meanwhile, Cork Airport welcomed 1.3m passengers in the first half of the year and is expected to have its busiest year ever for international traffic of 2.7m passengers.

The Daa’s total operating costs, including payroll, came to €253m, representing an increase of 28% on the same period last year, fuelled by the resumption of normal airport operations post-pandemic.

Ryanair recently announced that it cut its winter 23/24 schedule at Dublin Airport due to Daa's rising passenger charges of 45%. However, the Daa said it is not increasing charges by that much.