Factors Driving Passenger Growth
The surge in travel demand can be attributed to several factors, including late summer vacations, the resumption of business travel after the summer months, and a strong influx of tourists for major sporting events, such as the Ireland versus England football match held in Dublin.
Despite efforts by daa to manage airline demand and comply with the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport, the numbers have continued to rise. daa confirmed that its initiatives have successfully reduced passenger counts by approximately 650,000 throughout the year, even though it does not control the slot allocation process. However, forecasts suggest that passenger numbers will exceed 32 million, potentially reaching 33 million in 2024.
Record-Breaking September for Dublin Airport
In September, Dublin Airport recorded 3.08 million passengers, a 4% increase from last year, making it the busiest September in the airport’s 84-year history. The busiest day of the month was September 1, with 119,570 passengers passing through the two terminals. Notably, passenger counts exceeded 100,000 on an additional 23 days throughout the month.
As of now, a total of 25.8 million passengers have used Dublin Airport facilities this year, reflecting a 5.3% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023. Each month brings the airport closer to the 32 million cap.
Challenges Ahead for Dublin Airport
Looking ahead to October, the airport is anticipated to remain busy; however, the autumn outlook is more tempered. Some airlines are scaling back operations in response to uncertainty surrounding the 32 million cap. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has also implemented a winter slot decision, which will limit the number of available seats for airlines from November to March, further affecting capacity. Nevertheless, daa expects the 32 million cap to be surpassed in 2024.
Cork Airport’s Strong Performance
In contrast, Cork Airport continues its robust growth, welcoming a record 295,000 passengers in September—a 14% increase from the previous year. Many passengers traveled to popular destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and Italy, capitalizing on late summer sunshine. The airport has recently announced two new winter routes by Ryanair, connecting to Brussels Charleroi and Rome Ciampino.
Cork Airport remains on track to surpass three million passengers by the end of the year, playing a vital role in supporting tourism and trade in southern Ireland. daa is committed to expanding Cork Airport’s capacity to five million passengers annually within the next decade.
Economic Implications and Future Plans
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, commented on the contrasting trends, stating, “September was another busy month at Cork and Dublin airports, with record numbers flying through both. However, while Cork grows, Dublin slows. Daa has long been vocal about the potential negative impacts of the cap, and regrettably, our predictions are becoming a reality.”
He warned of the adverse effects on connectivity and economic activity as airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus make adjustments to their operations. Jacobs noted that Dublin’s passenger cap will increasingly affect airlines as they finalize their summer 2025 schedules.
Daa is actively pursuing an application to increase Dublin Airport’s capacity to 40 million passengers and is currently addressing requests for additional information from Fingal County Council. Jacobs emphasized the need for cohesive planning and infrastructure development to support the growing demand for air travel across Ireland.
