Daa reports profit decline as Middle East conflict impacts retail sales

Cork and Dublin airports operator grows overall passenger numbers despite a slight decline in Cork

Work is nearing completion on a new mezzanine floor at Cork Airport, incorporating security screening, a dedicated FastTrack lane and an upgraded business lounge. Picture: Larry Cummins

Passenger numbers through Cork Airport in the first half of the year fell slightly by 1%, while Dublin Airport reported a 6% rise.

In a trading update, Daa, which operates both airports, reported a 5% rise in turnover to €561.9m. Group profit after tax reduced by 6% to €72.9m, as the conflict in the Middle East impacted Daa's retail and consulting businesses in the first half of the year.

Despite this, the Group’s international businesses performed strongly in the first half of 2026. 

Daa International increased revenue by 13%, delivered a strong performance in Saudi Arabia and secured a new contract in Vietnam, reinforcing its growing international presence. Its subsidiary ARI secured the travel retail contract at Terminal 4 at New York JFK Airport, a significant commercial win that expands its presence in the North American market.

During the first half of 2026, Daa invested €153m in capital expenditure across the Group. This included improvements to airfield infrastructure, passenger facilities, food and beverage offerings and operational resilience at Dublin Airport, together with the continued delivery of Cork Airport’s €200m multi-year capital investment programme.

A total of 19.6m passengers travelled through Dublin and Cork airports during the first half of the year, an increase of 1m passengers (+5%) compared with the same period in 2025.

Dublin Airport recorded a 6% increase in passenger traffic. Investment since January has included additional security resources, more passenger seating and charging points, upgraded baby-feeding rooms, a new children’s play area after US Preclearance, improved signage, enhancements to Fast Track and lounge facilities, and a broader range of food and beverage options across both terminals. 

The airport has also continued to strengthen its digital services through improvements to its website, app and online booking platform.

Cork Airport maintained passenger traffic close to the historically high levels recorded in 2025, down marginally by 1%. 

Work continued on a new mezzanine floor incorporating next-generation security screening, a dedicated FastTrack lane and an upgraded business lounge. Progress was also made on a new solar farm and the delivery of additional car parking capacity.

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