Air access to Ireland this summer set to rise 6.5%

All geographic markets will see an increase in seat numbers compared to summer 2024

Despite the rise this year, the number of seats from Great Britain remains 2% lower than 2023 levels. 

Air access to Ireland will rise by 6.5% this summer, with airline capacity increasing to 16,500 seats.

A report from Fálte Ireland shows the summer tourism period from April to the end of October will see air capacity grow by 3% across the globe, but rise more in Ireland.

They said year-on-year growth will be strongest between April and June, with the timing of Easter boosting the number of available seats.

Fáilte Ireland said all markets will see an increase in capacity this summer, with North America rising 11% on 2024, Great Britain up 6%, Mainland Europe up 5% and the Rest of the World up 18%.

Despite the rise this year, the number of seats from Great Britain remains 2% lower than 2023 levels. 

From the US, there are five airlines operating 25 routes this summer, an increase of three compared to 2024, providing 1,800 seats. 

Seat capacity from France will fall 3% this year, largely driven by a reduction by Ryanair. 

Fáilte Ireland said sea access this summer will be lower than in 2024 and 2023 due to a downsizing of some vessels. 

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has reported a sharp drop in inbound tourism, showing the number of visitors to Ireland declining 15% during March to 441,200, compared to the same period last year. This continues the downward year-on-year trend in foreign visitor numbers first observed in September 2024.

However, Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, chief executive of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, said the figures from the CSO “don't reflect industry data sources or sentiment on the ground with industry partners”.