February presented a stark contrast in the fortunes of Ireland’s two major airports, both operated by daa.
Cork Airport experienced robust growth, while Dublin Airport remained shackled by its passenger cap, hindering its potential.
This divergence highlights the critical impact of infrastructure limitations on Ireland’s connectivity and economic growth.
Further Growth in February
Cork Airport welcomed 203,466 passengers in February, a notable 6% increase compared to the same month last year. This surge reflects the airport’s ability to capitalize on travel demand, particularly during peak periods.
In contrast, Dublin Airport saw a 0.5% decrease in passenger numbers compared to February 2024, serving just under 2.1 million passengers.
Both airports experienced increased traffic due to various factors. The Six Nations rugby matches drew both inbound and outbound sports fans. Meanwhile, the school mid-term break, Valentine’s Day, and the St. Brigid’s bank holiday weekend spurred short breaks and leisure travel.
Cork Airport’s Upward Trajectory
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, attributed Cork Airport’s success to strategic planning and effective service delivery. “Passenger traffic at Cork Airport last month was up 6% compared with February 2024,” he stated.
The busiest day, February 21st, aligned with the end of the mid-term break, demonstrating the airport’s ability to handle peak travel periods.
Jacobs highlighted the strong load factors on key routes, including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Seville, and Paris. This was also evident for popular sun destinations like Malaga, Alicante, Lanzarote, and Tenerife.
He also noted the success of ski services, including special charter flights to Verona, complementing existing routes to Salzburg, Munich, and Lyon.
Furthermore, Cork Airport has made significant strides in improving public transport access. A new integrated ticketing initiative with Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann is operating.
It allows passengers from Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Laois to purchase a single ticket for rail and bus transfers to the airport. Jacobs emphasized the ongoing efforts to collaborate with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to enhance public transport services further.
Dublin Airport’s Restricted Growth
In stark contrast, Dublin Airport’s growth remains constrained by the existing passenger cap. Jacobs expressed concern over the impact of this limitation. He cited a “very worrying -25% drop in the number of tourists that visited Ireland in January,” as reported by the Central Statistics Office.
“Due to the passenger cap, Dublin Airport is an outlier among other European airports. It recorded stagnant passenger numbers in the opening months of 2025. Meanwhile, other capital city airports are experiencing strong growth,” Jacobs explained. He pointed to the UK’s proactive approach to airport expansion as a contrasting example.
Operationally, Dublin Airport performed well in February, with 98% of passengers clearing security in under 20 minutes. Overall, 89% of first-wave departures leaving on time. However, this operational efficiency could not offset the stagnation in passenger numbers.
Jacobs called for urgent action to remove the passenger cap, emphasizing the need for “turbocharged planning” to expedite the addition of new terminal capacity.
He suggested that the government consider adopting the UK model, where central government has taken control of planning decisions for critical transport infrastructure.
“We need the passenger cap removed in the next six months,” Jacobs asserted, highlighting the broad consensus among stakeholders, including the Taoiseach, the general public, airlines, and the business community.
daa’s Efforts to Address the Impasse
daa has taken steps to address the passenger cap issue. In early February, the company resubmitted its “no build” Operational Application (OA) to Fingal County Council, seeking to increase Dublin Airport’s passenger capacity to 36 million per year.
daa hopes this OA will expedite the planning process, providing a short-term solution to the terminal cap impasse and mitigating the negative impact on Ireland’s connectivity, tourism, and economy.
The company continues to advocate for a streamlined planning process and increased government support to ensure Dublin Airport can meet the growing demand for air travel.
The contrasting fortunes of Cork and Dublin Airports underscore the need for strategic infrastructure development to support Ireland’s economic growth.
While Cork Airport thrives, Dublin Airport’s potential remains hampered by outdated limitations. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring Ireland’s continued connectivity and competitiveness on the global stage.
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