DAA Releases January 2025 Passenger Numbers: Cork Leads, Dublin Faces Challenges
The Dublin and Cork Airport Authority (DAA) has released its first monthly passenger numbers for 2025, revealing divergent trends between the two major airports. Cork Airport continues its strong growth trajectory, reporting a 7% increase in January compared to January 2024. In contrast, Dublin Airport saw a 1% decline in passenger numbers for the same period.
Cork Airport’s Robust Performance
Cork Airport Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy, expressed enthusiasm about the positive start to the year. “We are very happy to see such a positive start to the year with a 7% increase in passenger traffic in January. This growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the strong support from our passengers and airline partners.”
The DAA accentuated Cork Airport’s significance in supporting the South of Ireland’s economy and tourism sector. Kenny Jacobs, CEO of DAA, stated, “Cork Airport’s impressive passenger growth is a clear indicator of the airport’s vital role in supporting jobs in tourism, business and internationally trading companies right across the South of Ireland.”
The DAA has ambitious plans to expand Cork Airport’s capacity. Jacobs added, “DAA is committed to supporting Cork Airport to grow to five million passengers a year within the next decade. We’ve lots of exciting plans including investing in expanding the terminal facilities as well as investing in infrastructure.”
Dublin Airport’s Passenger Cap
The performance at Dublin Airport is clouded by ongoing discussions about the passenger cap—a骨骼 contentious issue that has limited the airport’s growth. The DAA notes that there would have been up to 200,000 additional passengers in January if not for the cap.
The economic impact of Dublin Airport cannot be overstated. According to the DAA, Dublin Airport contributes €10 billion in gross value added to the Irish economy and supports 116,100 jobs in the Republic of Ireland. Jacques highlighted the cap’s negative impact, stating, “The cap continues to be a drag on all parts of the economy in the winter months and Ireland needs the cap to go in 2025.”
Impact of Severe Weather
Inclement weather also affected both airports in January, but both responded admirably. Storm Éowyn caused cancellations of more than 230 flights at Dublin Airport. Cork Airport also faced disruptions, with airlines adjusting operations and cancelling 19 flights.
Despite the challenges, both airports managed to resume operations from mid-morning on the day of the storm. The resilient response highlights the robustness of airport operations in the face of adverse conditions.
Ryanair Expands Summer 2025 Schedule
The airline giant Ryanair has announced its Summer 2025 schedule, offering an additional boost to passenger numbers at both Cork and Shannon Airports. This summer, Ryanair will operate 33 routes from Cork Airport, including one new destination and increased frequencies on 14 other routes.
Ryanair will introduce a new route connecting Cork to Fuerteventura, a destination not served from Cork since before the pandemic. Dara Brady, Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, emphasized the airline’s commitment to growth at regional airports. “The vast majority of this exciting Summer 2025 schedule will operate on Ryanair’s 4 Cork-based aircraft,” said Brady, reflective of a $400 million (€384 million) investment by the airline.
In Shannon, Ryanair plans to add extra flights on eight routes, including Alicante, Edinburgh, Faro, Kaunas, Krakow, Malaga, Porto, and Reus. The CEO called on the Government to support regional airports, noting passenger caps that restrict growth at Knock, Kerry, and Donegal airports.
Ryanair’s Call to Action
Brady highlighted Ryanair’s growth at regional airports, rising by 65% since the pandemic. “We will continue to grow there as much as we can, but we want to grow across all of Ireland,” he told the .
Ryanair acknowledges the importance of Dublin while prioritizing regional growth. “It’s not just a case of moving all the extra routes and aircraft we have in Dublin down to Cork. We hope that Ryanair can continue to grow in Dublin, as well as in Cork and Shannon for the foreseeable future.”
Conclusion
The January passenger numbers provide a snapshot of the dynamic state of Ireland’s aviation sector. While Cork Airport’s growth reinforces its position as a crucial player in the economy, the challenges at Dublin Airport underscore the need for policy adjustments to support continued growth and economic benefits.
Ryanair’s expansion plans signal an optimistic future for both Cork and Shannon, but the airline’s call for fairer treatment of regional airports hints at ongoing advocacy for a more balanced approach to airport development across Ireland.
As we move into 2025, these developments set the stage for further evolution in Ireland’s air travel landscape, with the potential for significant impacts on economic activity and job creation.
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