Dublin Airport breaks single-day passenger record

127,000 passengers moved through the airport on Sunday, the largest in the airport's 85-year history

Further daily records are expected to be made this summer, with passenger numbers through Dublin reaching 140,000 on some days. File Picture: Sam Boal

Dublin Airport recorded its busiest day in the airport's 85-year history on Sunday with 127,000 passengers passing through the terminal.

The UK Bank Holiday is understood to be one of the drivers of the increase, but it is likely the state's largest airport will break further records this weekend and over the summer on the back of sustained demand for air travel to and from Ireland.

In a post on LinkedIn on Sunday, Kenny Jacobs, the CEO of the operator daa, said it would be the busiest day in the airport's 85-year history, with 127,000 passengers coming and going and a flight every minute. "That’s 2.5 times the capacity of the Aviva Stadium here today," he said.

The airport is on track to handle more than 36m passengers this year. On busy weekends over the summer, it is expected the airport will break further daily records, handling up to 140,000 passengers on some days.

Kevin Cullinane, Deputy Director of Communications for daa, said: "This historic milestone highlights the airport's significant role in connecting Ireland to the world and underscores the growing demand for air travel through Dublin Airport."

Last month, the High Court suspended the enforcement of a 32m per year passenger cap at the airport. The suspension is pending the outcome of a legal challenge referred to Europe. Air traffic into Ireland fell by 0.5% in the first quarter due to the cap, but traffic through Dublin 7.8%.

"With the cap at Dublin Airport having been referred to Europe, and with airlines consequently being able to keep filing for slots, the passenger cap is effectively now a zombie cap and the bigger issue for Ireland is that conversations need to switch to how planning in Ireland can go faster," Mr Jacobs said.