17 Consecutive Years of Growth At Dublin Airport

23.5 million passengers in 2008

Dublin Airport had its busiest year on record in 2008, as 23.5 million passengers were facilitated through the terminal building. Passenger figures increased by 1% during the year, representing an additional 180,000 travellers using Dublin Airport, according to figures issued today by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

The growth in traffic was due to a strong performance in the first half of the year, as passenger numbers declined in the last four months of 2008. Given the current economic climate, the outlook for 2009 remains difficult, and passenger numbers at Dublin Airport are expected to decline in line with the contraction in Irish GDP.

In the wake of the full implementation of the EU-US Open Skies agreement, transatlantic traffic grew by 14% during 2008 with a record number of 1.8 million passengers travelling this route sector. Passenger volumes to other international destinations such as the Middle East and Africa increased by 8% to more than 250,000 last year.

European traffic increased by 1% with almost 12 million passengers travelling during 2008. UK traffic declined by 1% to 8.6 million passengers. Domestic traffic fell by 5% with more than 870,000 passengers travelling on domestic flights during 2008.

A total of 22 new routes and services were opened in 2008. During the year, 79 airlines operated to 207 destinations from Dublin Airport.

“It was another very busy, challenging and successful year for Dublin Airport,” said Robert Hilliard, Director of Dublin Airport.

“While passenger traffic grew by 5% during the first half of the year it declined by 3% in the second half reflecting a combination of global spiralling fuel prices and the international financial crisis. Looking ahead, 2009 will be no less challenging than last year.”

“To help meet these challenges we have introduced a very attractive route and market support scheme for new long and short-haul routes to encourage and stimulate growth to underdeveloped markets. Meanwhile, work continues apace on the construction of T2 and an extension to the existing terminal is on schedule to open in May of this year.”

Further information contact: Siobhán Moore – 087 271 0065