Around 90,000 fewer passengers will travel through the airport this Christmas compared to last year, due to airlines not being able to add extra services on popular routes as they typically would at this time of year to cater for demand, said Dublin Airport.
Last year 1.5 million passengers circulated through the two terminals for Christmas.
The airport is expecting to welcome an average of 80,000 passengers every day between Wednesday, December 18 and Sunday, January 5.
Today’s News in 90 seconds – 10th December 2024
The busiest day in the run up to Christmas will be Friday, December 20, when around 93,000 passengers will move through the airport.
Dublin Airport will close on Christmas Day – the only day it closes year round – however a skeleton team will remain on duty that day including the airport’s Fire and Rescue and Airport Police.
December 27 is set to be the busiest day after Christmas when around 97,000 passengers are set to pass through.
Graeme McQueen, media relations manager at daa, said: “As the festive season approaches, Dublin Airport becomes a gateway for families, friends and loved ones to reunite.
“Christmas is a magical time at Dublin Airport and the team has been working hard since early Summer to put together our most expansive musical programme to date.
“Starting from today, more than 40 schools, choirs, and local acts will perform in the terminals, culminating on Christmas Eve, with a very special performance by the Dublin Gospel Choir.
“The days leading up to Christmas will also see a number of live radio and TV broadcasts at Dublin Airport and we also have Cork’s singing superstar Allie Sherlock singing in T1 and T2 every Friday in December.”
The 1.4 million passengers set to travel through Dublin Airport this Christmas will be welcomed by the airport’s biggest ever festive entertainment programme with dozens of local choirs and musical acts lined up to perform in the terminals.
Dublin Airport’s Christmas programme began last week when its special Christmas Roadshow, featuring dancing elves and a singing Santa Claus, visited more than 3,000 children in 11 schools in local communities near the airport.
Dublin Airport has said that while the passenger cap has scaled back numbers flying this Christmas, it will not impact the high levels of festive spirit and emotion that are synonymous with Dublin Airport at this time of year.
Dublin Airport’s passenger advice remains to arrive two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours in advance of a long-haul flight.
