Dublin Airport ready to welcome record 1.8m passengers this Christmas

New scanners mean snow globes added to the good list at security.

Passenger numbers will be up 22% on last Christmas.

Festive entertainment programme gets underway in terminals.

Passengers reminded not to wrap gifts in hand luggage.

Dublin Airport is looking forward to its busiest ever Christmas this year with around 1.8 million passengers set to pass through the airport’s terminals over the busy festive period.

Numbers travelling this year are likely to be up by around 22% (c.330,000 passengers) compared to the same period last year with an average of 96,000 passengers expected each day over the 19-day period between December 18th and January 5th.

The seven days leading up to Christmas will see around 350,000 passengers arriving at Dublin Airport and they’ll be welcomed by Dublin Airport’s biggest ever festive entertainment programme with dozens of local choirs and top musical acts lined up to perform in the terminals.

As always, Dublin Airport will close on Christmas Day – the only day of the year it closes – to give staff a well-earned day off with their loved ones. However, a skeleton team will remain on duty that day including the airport’s Fire and Rescue and Airport Police.

Busiest Days

The busiest day at Dublin Airport in the run up to Christmas is forecast be Sunday, December 21 when around 110,000 passengers are expected move through the airport. The terminals will be very busy after Christmas too, with Sunday, December 28 set to see 115,000 passengers going through.

Christmas Passenger Advice

Dublin Airport’s passengers advice for Christmas passengers is to arrive two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours in advance of a long-haul flight.

Passengers can look forward to a smooth security experience with around 95% of passengers this year having passed through screening in 20 minutes or under.

Passengers are reminded that they no longer need to remove liquids of electronics from their hand luggage when going through security screening, with the old 100ml or under limit for liquids and gels having been lifted following the roll-out of new scanning technology in both terminals.

The changes mean that, for the first time ever, snow globes can be taken in their hand luggage this Christmas. The removal of the 100ml limit will also make it easier to take gifts such as cosmetics and alcohol in their hand luggage, however, they are reminded NOT to wrap any gifts in hand luggage as they may be required to open them when going through security.

Christmas Commentary

“Christmas is a magical time at Dublin Airport and we can’t wait to welcome the record numbers that will be travelling this year. Our arrivals halls will once again be filled with emotion as families and loved ones reunite for the festive period.

“We want to make it extra special for those arriving into Ireland for Christmas, so the team have pulled out all of the stops to make the terminals extra-Christmassy and to put together a festive programme of entertainment that will run right up until Christmas Eve. Starting from this Wednesday (December 10), more than 40 schools, choirs, and local acts will perform on specially installed Christmas stages in the arrivals halls in both terminals, culminating on Christmas Eve, with a very special performance by the Dublin Gospel Choir. The days leading up to Christmas will also see a number of live radio and TV broadcasts at Dublin Airport, including RTE’s 2Fm Breakfast Show and Virgin Media’s Ireland AM, and we also have a number of well-known performers lined up to play in the terminals including Cork’s singing superstar Allie Sherlock and Dublin favourites Keywest.

“While our terminals are going to busy over the festive period, the airport team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and festive experience for everyone passing through. We know how special this time of year is and whether you’re reuniting with loved ones or bringing holiday cheer to those near and far, we wish you a safe, smooth, and joyful journey,” added McQueen.

Christmas Events 

The annual “blessing of the planes” at Dublin Airport will also take place in the run up to Christmas, which will be open to all faiths wishing to attend.

Dublin Airport’s Christmas programme got underway last week when its special Christmas Roadshow, featuring dancing elves and a singing Santa Claus, visited more than 5,000 kids in 15 schools over five days in communities near the airport.

The daa team will also be working hard to raise money for good causes over the Christmas period, with fun Christmas jumper days and staff busking events taking place at both Cork and Dublin airports. All proceeds will go to daa’s three chosen charities for 2025, which are: Good Shepherd Cork, Little Blue Heroes and CRITICAL.