Transforming Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport needs to expand to cope with the huge growth in passenger numbers in recent years and to provide better facilities for all our customers.

Just over 10 million passengers used Dublin Airport in 1997. By 2007, that number had more than doubled to more than 23 million travellers. The number of passengers that used Dublin Airport last year is three times larger than the population of London and almost 15 times the population of greater Dublin.

Investing in new facilities will allow us to radically improve the journey for all of our 23 million customers. It will also ensure that Dublin is well-placed for future growth, as the new facilities delivered under the Transforming plan will allow the airport to handle up to 35 million passengers per year.

We are acutely aware of the important role the airport plays in promoting Dublin and Ireland as a location for both business and leisure. By prudently investing in new facilities we are helping to stimulate both these areas of the economy. 

Ireland has one of Europe’s most open economies as almost two-thirds of our economic performance is linked to the export of goods and services. Typically in the European Union’s 27 member states, exports account for about 30% of GDP. IDA Ireland has said that an efficient Dublin Airport is “critical” to its existing multinational client base and to attracting new investment.

Tourism is a key Irish industry and Dublin is the main gateway for travel to Ireland. With an unparalleled choice of services available, we account for 75% of all air traffic into the Republic of Ireland and about 60% of air traffic into the island of Ireland.

The Transforming Dublin Airport plan provides for new and improved facilities to handle additional short-haul and long-haul services that will help stimulate economic growth and boost tourism.