Strengthening Connections

Our purpose is to connect Ireland with the wider world. For more information on how we do this or how you can do it too, you can contact our Route Development team.

Dublin Airport Continues To Grow

Dublin Airport serves as Ireland’s principal international aviation gateway, offering unmatched global connectivity. After eight consecutive years of growth through 2019, peaking at 32.9 million passengers that year, traffic rebounded strongly from the COVID19 downturn. In 2022, the airport handled around 27.8 million passengers (a 236% increase on 2021 and about 85% of 2019 levels). 

The recovery continued in 2023, when passenger numbers climbed to approximately 31.9 million, nearly a 15% increase over 2022. In 2024, Dublin Airport recorded a new all-time high: 34.6 million total passengers (including transfers), up about 3.3% from 2023, with 33.3 million passing through the terminals, exceeding the official cap of 32 million.

Strategic Importance

Strategically located within Europe and the gateway from North America, Ireland is a committed member of the European Union and provides companies with guaranteed access to the European market. Ireland is the only English-speaking country within the EU and provides an ideal hub for organisations seeking a European base. Irish tourism has also been able to sustain growth from key markets, including Great Britain, North America, and Mainland Europe. 

The airport consists of two 100,000 sq. metre terminals and owns, manages, and operates the largest car park in Ireland with a total of 23,000 car park spaces. In August 2022, Dublin Airport opened its second runway, delivered on time and on budget, ready to facilitate the next chapter for Dublin Airport. 

The North Runway facilitates larger aircraft and connectivity with long-haul destinations, as well as much-needed extra runway capacity for short-haul flights during early morning and late evening departure and arrival periods. The North Runway is critical to Dublin’s growing position as a hub for travel between Europe and North America. 

With U.S. Preclearance, a new runway and world-class connectivity, Dublin Airport continues to present growth opportunities for new and existing airline partners. Dublin Airport currently has 45 airlines flying directly to over 190 international destinations. Ensuring Dublin Airport is attractive to airlines is vital to prevent aviation business from being lost to Ireland, as no other airport on the island has the route network necessary to support acting as a gateway between Europe and North America. 

With a record 34.6 million passengers in 2024, world-class infrastructure including U.S. preclearance and a second runway, and strong network reach, Dublin Airport continues to be a cornerstone of global connectivity for Ireland, delivering significant growth potential to airlines, tourism, and international businesses.