Dublin Airport is expecting its busiest Christmas ever
More than 1 million passengers are expected to arrive and depart over the festive season which will mean this will be the busiest Christmas on record for Dublin Airport.
From Friday, December 22 to Friday, January 5, 2018 an expected 1,021,250 people will travel through Dublin Airport. The numbers travelling this year are up 2% compared to the same period last year.
Commenting on the busiest Christmas in the airport’s 77-year history, Dublin Airport’s spokesperson, Siobhán O’Donnell said that “Friday, December 22 is expected to be the busiest day before Christmas, with almost 85,000 passengers due to arrive and depart through both terminals, while Friday, December 29 is expected to be the busiest day after Christmas, particularly with passengers heading to winter sun and skiing destinations”
She added “Dublin Airport is a truly magical place at Christmas time with many wonderful, emotional family reunions at arrivals in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2”
She also added that “over the years we have had a number of Christmas marriage proposals, and every year we have grandparents seeing their grandchildren in the flesh for the first time – whether that be Irish emigrants returning home or people from overseas visiting their family here. Increasingly, those waiting to meet their loved ones at Dublin Airport are entering into the spirit of Christmas by dressing up and making signs to welcome family and friends.”
Dublin Airport has almost 1,000 performers from local schools and choirs singing in both terminals in the days leading up to Christmas bringing a true Cead Mile Failte to the many people coming home for the Christmas Holidays and to those visiting Ireland from overseas for the holiday season.
Once again, the Dublin Airport campus and terminal buildings have been decorated to give a special atmosphere to the airport over this festive season. The terminals are decked with over 100,000 led lights, which use significantly less electricity than traditional lighting, more than 100 Christmas trees, 500 snowflakes/stars and 20 festive displays.
To join in the festive spirit, Ryan Tubridy’s RTE Radio One programme and 2FM’s Nicky Byrne and Jenny Greene will broadcast live from the airport on Friday, December 22 from 9am and 10am respectively.
Dublin Airport will close on Christmas Day – the only day on which it closes every year - however a number of staff members will remain on duty including the airport’s emergency fire services.
Flight operations will cease on Christmas Eve after the last flight departs at 23.10 to Chisinau with Air Moldova and will resume on St. Stephen’s Day when Aer Lingus’ EI 104 from New York lands at 5am.