Dublin Airport handled record number of passengers during 2018

DUBLIN, Ireland - The Dublin Airport has announced that it recorded its eight consecutive year of passenger growth in 2018, handling a record 31.5 million passengers through the 12 months of last year.

Releasing its passenger numbers from 2018, the Dublin Airport management said that it had witnessed the busiest year ever at the airport.

Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison said that passenger numbers rose 6 percent last year, which was an additional 1.9 million passengers welcomed at the airport compared to the previous year. 

Harrison said in a statement, "Dublin Airport enjoyed its eighth consecutive year of passenger growth in 2018 and I’d like to thank the traveling public, our airline customers, our staff and the staff of all the other companies at the airport for helping to generate yet another record year."

According to the airport, about 2.1 million passengers used the airport as a hub, while about 29.4 million people started and ended their journey at the airport in the capital last year. 

The airport's largest market in 2018 was Continental Europe and passengers from the region increased by 7 percent last year. 

Figures recorded by the airport showed that short-haul traffic had grown by 5 percent, while long-haul passenger numbers rose 15 percent. 

Almost 16.3 million passengers took flights to and from Europe, while nearly 10.1 million passengers travelled to and from U.K. airports last year. 

The airport recorded a 16 percent rise in transatlantic traffic and other international traffic increased by 17 percent.

Harrison added, "Dublin Airport is a key economic engine for Ireland and last year’s traffic growth helped deliver a record year for Irish tourism, bringing additional jobs and tourism spending throughout the island."

He added, "Air connectivity is essential for the Irish economy and the provision of new and expanded services at Dublin Airport benefits the entire country."