Dublin Airport announces major improvements for passengers ahead of busiest ever summer

With more than 10 million passengers set to travel through Dublin Airport this summer, airport operator daa has announced details of a whole host of improvements that will ensure smooth journeys and smiles on the faces of passengers over the months ahead.

 

This summer promises to be the busiest ever at the island's main gateway to the world, which is responsible for around 65% of those flying off and on the island of Ireland.

 

daa aims for at least 90% of passengers getting through security screening in under 20 minutes - just as they did last summer.

 

Through the peak summer months of June, July and August, Dublin Airport is expecting around 3.5 million passengers each month, ranging from sunseekers to business travellers and many thousands of tourists and visitors coming to visit all 32 counties in Ireland.

 

Passengers have more choice than ever before to look forward to this summer at Dublin Airport, with up to 190 destinations and more than 2,600 departing flights per week on offer from 43 airlines to over 130 cities in Europe, including top summer holiday destinations.

 

 

According to Dublin Airport Managing Director Gary McLean: "Summer 2025 is set to be the busiest on record at Dublin Airport and we're determined to make it the best ever for passenger standards. Our passenger satisfaction scores hit an all-time high last year but we're not resting on our laurels, we're rolling out a whole host of further improvements, building on the huge amount we've done over the past three years and continuous passenger feedback. 

 

“Our aim is to put a smile on the face of every person - young and old - that walks through our doors. Passengers will see lots of improvement works going on throughout the terminals, delivering everything from new best-in-class security scanners to great new food outlets and other great new features. Behind the hoardings, good things are coming. We’re also maintaining a relentless focus on the basics to ensure Dublin Airport stays boringly efficient and worry-free for passengers.

 

“A busy hub like Dublin Airport, with upwards of 120,000 passengers passing through most days during summer, has a lot to get right. The feedback feature on the new Dublin Airport app, combined with our regular independent surveys of passengers in the terminals and from our Passenger Panel, which met as recently as late May, are helping us to identify pinch points for passengers. We're now focused on removing these, to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for both arriving and departing passengers. Our continuous programme of improvements will improve the passenger experience at Dublin Airport for the summer months and beyond,” added McLean.

 

daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said: "Dublin Airport has already seen three days in May with more than 120,000 passengers passing through – that’s unprecedented but will be the new norm this summer with an average of 121,000 passengers a day predicted. I fully expect this will rise to 130,000 to 140,000 passengers on some days. This level of passenger activity is new territory for Dublin Airport and highlights the huge demand that's out there from airlines and passengers to fly in and out of our national hub airport.

 

"If it wasn't for the uncertainty of the zombie passenger cap, there’d be even more visitors coming this summer, benefiting our economy and local businesses across the island. We’d also be able to explore new direct routes to places like Brazil and India that we know there is pent up demand for. Our connectivity needs and population growth require us to think long term and get building for a future in which Dublin Airport handles 40 million passengers per annum and beyond. This must be the last summer in which Dublin Airport has an artificial passenger cap and we welcome Minister O’Brien’s commitment to a legislative solution soon,” added Jacobs.

More Seating: 1,000+ new seats for passengers throughout the terminals, including 420 new seats at boarding gates, 100+ comfortable dwell seats with charging facilities, 150 seats for People with Reduced Mobility, and 350 new seats in landside areas.

 

Better Lounges: The Liffey Lounge (formerly The T2 Lounge) and the Martello Lounge (formerly The East Lounge) both fully revamped. Work will soon get underway to revamp and double the capacity of the T1 Lounge. Fast Track facility in T1 being moved to new dedicated Mezzanine floor (opening mid-summer).

 

New Food & Drink Options: 15 new and improved outlets for passengers. These include the recently opened Arthur Guinness Bar, Pret A Manger, Boxx, Kimbok and The Garden Terrace in Terminal 1, which will be followed in mid-summer by the brand new San Marco Italian sit-down restaurant. In Terminal 2, the newly opened Roasted Notes and Butler’s cafes will soon be joined by a new Irish bar and a wine bar called The Reserve (both airside).

 

New Value-Added Products for Passengers: New mezzanine-level Fast Track facility to open in T1 later this year; 5 new suites added in our Platinum VIP terminal to meet increased demand; new Drop & Go Parking facility opened in T1 short-term car park (following success of T2 product in 2024); new tiered Airport Club loyalty product launched offering bulk access to Lounges, Fast Track and Platinum as well as discounts in Duty Free.

 

Hydration Stations: 23 of our free water refill stations in both terminals have been replaced by new and improved units in time for summer. These new units are providing passengers with the equivalent of 100,000 bottles of water (500ml) per month.

 

New Dublin Airport App: Features real-time flight updates for arrivals and departures (including live status alerts); accurate live security wait times; Duty Free discounts; interactive maps; and details about gate numbers, check-in areas and baggage carousels; plus the handy option of booking car parking, Fast Track security access, Lounges and Platinum Services directly via the app.

 

Transport: A new Public Transport Information Hub has been opened in Terminal 1's Atrium for onward passengers, providing comfortable seating, free WiFi, real-time bus information for all 1,100 services operating at Dublin Airport this summer, campus maps, QR codes directing to the Dublin Airport journey planner and phone charging points. In addition, 32 transport maps have been added in the baggage halls to provide passengers with information earlier in their journey through the airport.

 

Cleanliness: Over 400 cleaning projects carried out in both terminals in the lead up to summer season, plus 30 external cleaning projects on our main passenger forecourt areas. A total of 35 new Smart Bins have been installed across the airport campus.

 

Charging: Three new integrated FASTHub device charging hubs have been introduced for passengers, offering a mix of USB, USC and wireless charging.

 

Family Facilities: Three new kids’ entertainment areas have been added at Departure Gates in T1 and T2, bringing the total to five across both terminals. A gaming zone for teens containing games consoles, will be added later in the summer.

 

Pet Relief Room Upgrades: The Pet Relief room in Terminal 2 has been fully upgraded for passengers travelling with service and emotional support animals. A second Pet Relief room is also being added on Pier 2 in Terminal 1 and will open later this year.

Customer Service: Refresher customer service training provided to all frontline staff who will be in the terminals all summer wearing bright pink 'Here to Help' vests. Also, mobile customer service desks will be in key passenger areas during our busiest periods, which will be manned by customer service staff to answer passenger queries.

 

Look and Feel: Activations are being rolled out in both terminals to celebrate and showcase Irish street art, important moments in Irish history, cinema and sport. Activities will include the full re-painting of the T1 piano by Irish Street Artist Al Maser, with new consistent wooden façade features being added through the terminals, both airside and landside.

 

Passengers travelling over the coming months are advised to be in their terminal two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. To save time on the day of departure, passengers are advised to check with their airline if night-before bag check-in is possible.

 

While the rollout of C3 scanners in both terminals is nearing completion, passengers are reminded that security rules will remain the same until the scanner rollout is fully complete in the autumn. That means all passengers should still be prepared to remove all liquids, lotions and gels (under 100ml) and any electronic devices from their hand luggage when going through security screening over the coming months.

 

 

Passengers flying this summer are encouraged to download the new feature-packed Dublin Airport app, available via Apple App Store and Google Play Store, which has a string of  tools to helps passengers to navigate the airport, including: live flight departure and arrival information; real time security queue times; access to unique discounts for Duty Free and airport products such as lounges and Fast Track; interactive maps and other advice.

 

 

Passengers requiring additional assistance when travelling through the airport this summer are reminded that they must pre-book at least 48 hours before their flight. Passengers who are pre-booked will be prioritised while anyone not pre-booked may experience a longer wait time. Passengers can book assistance through their airline, travel agent/tour operator, via the PRM Assist App or service provider OCS on 01 944 6108.

 

Passengers with Autism or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can apply for a Dublin Airport Important Flyer lanyard and wristband via the Dublin Airport website. Dublin Airport staff are also trained to recognise the Sunflower Lanyard, which discreetly indicates to staff that the passenger may need additional time, support and understanding when travelling through the airport.