Dublin Airport has said that while Christmas will be a busy time for it, the number of people using the airport will be lower than last year due to the impact of the passenger cap.
A total of 1.4 million passengers are set to travel through Dublin Airport this Christmas, around 90,000 fewer passengers on last year.
This is due to the fact that airlines are not able to add extra services on popular routes as they typically would at this time of year to cater for demand.
Dublin Airport is expecting an average of 80,000 passengers every day between Wednesday, December 18 and Sunday, January 5.
The busiest day in the run up to Christmas will be Friday, December 20, when around 93,000 passengers will move through the airport’s two terminals.
December 27 set to be the busiest day post-Christmas when around 97,000 passengers are set to pass through.
Dublin Airport will close on Christmas Day – the only day it closes every year – but a skeleton team will remain on duty that day including the airport’s Fire and Rescue and Airport Police.
Its advice to passengers remains to arrive two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours in advance of a long-haul flight.
Starting from today, over 40 schools, choirs, and local acts will perform in the terminals, culminating on Christmas Eve, with a 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.
“For those travelling home for Christmas, we know how special this time of year is and whether you’re reuniting with loved ones or bringing holiday cheer to those near and far, we wish you a safe, smooth, and joyful journey,” Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager at Dublin Airport, said.
“While the passenger cap is holding back numbers flying this Christmas, it won’t restrict the high levels of festive spirit and emotion that is synonymous with Dublin Airport at this time of year,” he added.
