Cork and Dublin airports saw record-breaking passenger numbers again in September, the Daa confirmed on Thursday, with the two airports welcoming a total of 3.38 million passengers, a 5% increase on the same month last year.
Demand for travel was buoyed by late summer breaks, the post-summer resumption of business travel, and strong flows of tourists into Ireland for big sporting events such as the Ireland versus England football international in Dublin, the Daa said.
However, it noted that had it not made every effort to dampen airline demand in Dublin Airport, passenger numbers would have been higher still.
Last month, the Daa confirmed that its actions to comply with the 32 million passenger cap have reduced passenger numbers across the year by approximately 650,000, despite not controlling the slot process. However, it also warned that, based on forecasts, passenger numbers will exceed 32 million and will be closer to 33 million in 2024.
In Dublin Airport, figures show that 3.08 million passengers went through the terminal doors last month, up 4% on the same period last year, making it the busiest September ever in its 84-year history.
So far this year, a total of 25.8 million passengers have passed through the doors of Dublin Airport, reflecting an increase of 5.3% compared to the same period in 2023.
“With every passing month, Dublin Airport’s passenger numbers get closer to the 32 million cap,” said the Daa.
October is set to be another busy month, however, the autumn outlook remains subdued due to some airlines reducing the scale of their operations because of the uncertainty with the 32 million cap.
The Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) winter slot decision, which will cut the number of seats that airlines flying in and out of Dublin Airport can offer to passengers in the November to March winter period, will also begin to bite, the Daa warned.
However, it still expects the 32 million cap will be exceeded in 2024.
Cork Airport’s strong 2024 continued in September as it welcomed a record 295,000 passengers, which represented a 14% increase compared with the same month last year.
The performance means Cork Airport remains on track to break through the three million passenger level before the end of 2024.
Speaking on last month’s passenger numbers, Daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said: “September was another busy month at Cork and Dublin airports, with record numbers flying through both.
“But while Cork grows, Dublin slows. Daa has long been vocal about the potential negative impacts of the cap, warning it could lead to significant job losses and harm Ireland’s economy and international reputation. Regrettably, our predictions are becoming a reality.
“Ryanair is cutting routes, Aer Lingus is warning of job losses, while Emerald is likely reducing its fleet and may cut its Dublin to Donegal route, all of which leads to economic harm and reduced connectivity for Ireland.”
The Daa CEO warned that things will likely get worse before they get better, adding that the coming months will see the passenger cap start to bite more firmly as airlines finalise their summer 2025 schedules with fewer slots available and reduced capacity.
“We’re an island nation with a fast-growing population, so Government policies and a nimble planning system that allows all our airports to grow is vital, be that Dublin or Donegal, Cork or Shannon.”
Meanwhile, Head of Communications at Ryanair, Jade Kirwan told the Irish Examiner this week that transferring flight services to regional airports to combat the passenger cap at Dublin Airport will not solve Ryanair’s problems.
Speaking at the launch of Ryanair’s Winter 2024 schedule for Cork Airport on Wednesday, Ms Kirwan said that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is continuing to damage jobs and the economy, reiterating calls for the Government to scrap it, as well as caps on regional airports.
“It is not as simple as picking up an aircraft and putting it out of Dublin and to Cork,” said Ms Kirwan.
“We cannot give up what capacity we do have in Dublin because of the value attached to it and the lack of supply. Even if you did, there is nothing to say that it will be successful – there may be no benefit to it.
“We see demand rising and are responding accordingly, but Cork and Dublin are in different divisions. They are both performing well, but Dublin is in a separate league, playing with some of Europe’s larger cities.”
