Cork Airport experienced its busiest July in 15 years, welcoming just under 301,000 passengers, according to the latest figures released by the Daa. This represents a 13% increase compared to July of last year. The Daa attributes this growth to the record-breaking rainfall that prompted many passengers to seek out sunnier destinations. Kenny Jacobs, Chief Executive of the Daa, noted that the end of July was particularly busy for both Cork and Dublin airports, with a total of over 3.7 million passengers passing through the two busiest airports in Ireland.
Throughout the month, Cork Airport handled just over 2,000 flights, while Dublin Airport saw more than 23,000 flights. The strong performance in July has set the stage for another busy period in August, with over 62,000 passengers expected to pass through Cork Airport during the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend. Friday, August 4th is anticipated to be the busiest day. Overall, this weekend’s passenger traffic is projected to increase by 17% compared to the same period last year. In 2023, the airport is forecasted to welcome a record 2.7 million passengers.
In July, Dublin Airport alone welcomed just over 3.4 million passengers, representing a 13% increase compared to the same month in 2022 and on par with July 2019. The airport achieved a significant milestone on Sunday, July 30, when it recorded the highest number of passengers in a single day, with 120,585 travelers passing through. Moreover, all 31 days in July saw passenger numbers surpassing 100,000.
After experiencing a summer of chaos last year due to staff shortages that resulted in major delays and missed flights, Dublin Airport has made significant improvements. Mr. Jacobs praised the airport’s performance this year, stating that it has “continued to knock it out of the park.” In fact, 99.6% of passengers at Dublin Airport have been able to clear security in less than 20 minutes. Mr. Jacobs commended the efforts of the airport teams, emphasizing their role in ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience for passengers.
Cork Airport has also proven to be a popular choice among travelers, offering a hassle-free experience. Almost all passengers (99.9%) cleared security screening in less than 20 minutes, with 9 out of 10 passengers passing through security in less than 10 minutes. The Daa chief executive highlighted the exceptional performance of both Cork and Dublin airports, attributing their success to the dedicated teams working tirelessly to provide a seamless travel experience.
The positive growth in passenger numbers at Cork and Dublin airports reflects the strong demand for air travel in Ireland. As the summer season continues, both airports are expected to handle a significant number of passengers, further contributing to the growth of the aviation industry in the country.
