Summer passenger surge continued at Cork and Dublin airports in July

Kenneth Fox

The summer passenger surge continued at both Cork and Dublin airport in July as Dublin Airport welcomed over 100,000 passengers every day, while Cork Airport saw passenger numbers up +15 per cent.

July was the busiest ever month at both Cork and Dublin airports as Cork Airport welcomed 378k passengers, 15 per cent more than July 2024 and Dublin Airport greeted 3.75 million passengers, a 6.9 per cent increase versus July 2024.

At Dublin Airport, demand to fly was so high that every single day in July saw more than 100,000 passengers move through the airport's two terminals, with more than 120,000 passengers landing and taking off on no less than 17 days during the month.

Airport operator DAA said the increase in passenger numbers was the result of strong incoming tourist numbers as well as high numbers of Irish residents heading off on summer holidays overseas.

While the terminals were busy, the airport's teams ensured smiles on faces with 95 per cent of the record-breaking number of departing passengers getting through security screening in under 20 minutes - a performance that would rival the best performing capital city airports in Europe this summer.

The busiest day in the month at Dublin Airport was Sunday, July 27th when 126,620 passengers passed through.

Numbers passing through Dublin Airport during the peak summer months of June, July and August are on track to exceed 11 million, with the airport having welcomed a total of 7.3 million passengers in June and July combined.

According to DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs: "Demand to fly in and out of Dublin Airport has never been higher and the record numbers in July included a strong flow of tourists and visitors from overseas and also Irish residents heading abroad for their annual summer break.

"The big numbers travelling in June and July mean we are revising upwards our expected total passenger number for the year, and we now forecast that around 36.2 million passengers will have used Dublin Airport by year-end.

When it comes to Cork Airport, Mr Jacobs said: “Cork was once again Ireland’s fastest-growing airport in July, with passenger traffic up 15 per cent compared with July 2025.

"Our hardworking team in Cork continue to do a great job in keeping our passengers moving and happy no matter how busy we get.

"Cork’s progress shows no sign of abating with the airport’s winter schedule already taking shape and passengers are going to love Aer Lingus’ recently announced two exciting new routes to Prague and Geneva. KLM’s announcement of a third daily service from Cork to Amsterdam from October onwards is great news too.

“With the first phase of the €200 million Cork Airport capital development plan due to commence imminently, it was encouraging to see Cork City Council granting planning permission in July for an additional 670 long-term car parking spaces.

"While there’s lots of good work being done to improve public transport connectivity at Cork Airport, the need for additional parking has become apparent to all, given the growth of passenger numbers in the last few years."