DUBLIN Airport have teased another major arrival “coming in 2026” as passengers say it’s “great news”.
Ireland’s top airport revealed a new hotel will be opening in the next two years.
Dublin Airport has taken to Facebook to reveal that a new Sofitel hotel will be opening on location by late 2026.
Sofitel is a luxury hotel brand that is part of the French multinational AccorHotels group.
Known for its blend of French elegance and local cultural influences, Sofitel properties offer high-end accommodations, fine dining and exceptional service.
These hotels can be found in major cities around the world such as New York, Paris and London.
The Facebook post said: “Great news for passengers! Coming to Dublin Airport in late 2026 – Sofitel’s first ever hotel in Ireland.”
So far, Dublin Airport has two major hotels on its campus: the Radisson Hotel and the Maldron Hotel, which both offer shuttle services to terminals.
The Sofitel will have 412 bedrooms, an all-day restaurant and directly linked to Terminal 2.
What’s more it will feature a tea salon and a sky bar on the 11th floor that offers airfield views.
Holidaymakers took to the comment section of the post to share their delight.
One person said: “Looks fabulous, a great addition to the airport. Well done and good luck.”
Another wrote: “Great news, I love those hotels, and there will be more employment.”
This comes after Dublin Airport has issued a major Christmas warning to passengers ahead of the festive season.
Major Christmas warning
The airport is on track to surpass 32 million passengers in December 2024 – with parking spots set to fill up fast.
So far this year, Dublin Airport has already handled 28.7million passengers, with a 5 per cent increase compared to 2023.
Despite this growth, a passenger cap has become a major issue – with Dublin Airport needing to limit its capacity to comply with regulations.
In October, the airport welcomed a record 2.9 million passengers, making it the busiest October in the airport’s 84-year history.
October’s peak day saw 114,000 passengers, although a significant number of these were rebooked after Storm Ashley caused disruptions.
Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 32 million by December, with forecasts predicting a final count closer to 33 million for the year.
The airport is now working on plans to increase capacity, including a proposal to raise the cap to 40 million passengers and an operational plan to reach 36 million without new infrastructure.