Almost 18m passengers pass through Dublin and Cork Airports in first half of 2024

Ellen O'Donoghue

A total of 17.9 million passengers passed through Dublin and Cork Airports during the first half of 2024.

Dublin reported a five per cent rise in passenger traffic from January to June, while Cork experienced an 11 per cent growth, becoming the fastest growing airport in the country.

Revenue for the group reached €504.3 million, a 10 per cent increase on the same time last year, driven by a 15 per cent increase in domestic revenue which totalled €389.3 million.

Group profits after tax, before exponentials, rose by 44 per cent to €83.1 million, compared to €48.8 million in the same period in 2023.

Aeronautical revenue increased by 21 per cent to €157.1 million, while domestic non-aeronautical revenue grew by 12 per cent to €232.3 million, driven by food and beverage sales, retail sales and other passenger related services.

The group also rebranded Dublin and Cork airports duty-free stores during the year, and profits before tax from the group’s international retail, consultancy, and management business, operated through Aer Rianta International cpt (ARI) and daa International Limited (daaI), increased from €10.5 million to €14.2 million.

Chief executive of DAA, Kenny Jacobs, said that he is pleased with the strong financial and operational performance in the first half of 2024.

“This is a credit to the efforts of our employees across the business at home and overseas. The continued growth in passenger numbers and revenue reflects the robust demand from both passengers and airlines alike to grow their business at our airports,” he said.

“However, there are strong headwinds ahead as a result of ongoing planning issues and the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport which will be reflected in our performance for the second half of this year and into 2025.”

The group’s ability to grow to match demand for international travel by a growing Irish population is currently “curtailed” at Dublin Airport, Mr Jacobs also said, due to the 2007 passenger cap.

“Less seats this winter and next summer is going to result in higher air fares and less choice for the travelling public, unfortunately, until the cap gets resolved by planning permission being granted.”

DAA submitted a 40 million passenger application almost one year ago, he added, and expect it could take another two years before it is approved, but are also working on a “no build” operational application to remove the cap in the coming months that they hope can move through the planning process faster.