Dublin Airport passenger numbers up 2.7% in May

Through the first five months of 2026, a total of 14.3 million passengers have passed through Dublin Airport. 

Close to 3.5 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport last month, an increase of 2.7% year-on-year, with traveller numbers trending well ahead of last year, new data shows.

This comes as the Government looks set to scrap the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, which limits the total annual number of passengers to 32 million, with legislation potentially coming in the next few weeks.

The application of the passenger cap has been paused as a legal challenge makes its way through the European court system.

According to daa, which manages Dublin Airport, during 28 of the 31 days of May, the airport managed more than 100,000 passengers and on eight days it managed more than 120,000.

Through the first five months of 2026, a total of 14.3 million passengers have passed through Dublin Airport — up 7% on the same period last year.

The top five most popular destinations for departing passengers were London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Manchester, Malaga, and London Gatwick.

Travel between Dublin and North America in May was 13% higher year-on-year, with strong numbers of visitors also arriving into Ireland from the US and Canada.

Managing director of Dublin Airport, Gary McLean, said demand to fly in and out of Dublin Airport is “very high” and “we’re expecting passenger numbers to come in around 2% higher this summer than last year’s record levels”.

“June is set to be another busy month as we welcome many thousands of tourists to the island of Ireland from all around the world, while the summer holiday season ramps up for residents of Ireland seeking their annual fix of warm and sunny weather overseas,” he added.

According to reports, transport minister Darragh O’Brien is set to bring legislation to Cabinet next week which would give him the power to end or alter the passenger cap limit on Dublin Airport. The legislation could be fast-tracked through the Oireachtas and signed into law by the middle of July.

Numerous airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, as well as the International Air Transport Association have called on the Government to scrap the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. While the passenger cap was suspended in 2025, Dublin Airport managed 36.4 million passengers.