Summer passenger surge continued at record-breaking Cork and Dublin airports in July

Dublin Airport welcomed 100k+ passengers every day in July.

Dublin Airport passenger numbers up +6.9% overall.

Cork Airport continues to be Ireland’s fastest growing with passenger numbers up +15%.

July was the busiest ever month at both Cork and Dublin airports, continuing the summer surge of record-breaking passenger numbers. Cork Airport welcomed 378k passengers, 15% more than July 2024, while Dublin Airport greeted 3.75 million passengers, a 6.9% increase versus July 2024.

Dublin Airport

At Dublin Airport, demand to fly was so high that every single day in July saw more than 100,000 passengers move through the airport’s two terminals, with more than 120,000 passengers landing and taking off on no less than 17 days during the month.

Airport operator daa said the increase in passenger numbers was the result of strong incoming tourist numbers as well as high numbers of Irish residents heading off on summer holidays overseas.

While the terminals were busy, the airport’s teams ensured smiles on faces with 95% of the record-breaking number of departing passengers getting through security screening in under 20 minutes – a performance that would rival the best performing capital city airports in Europe this summer.

The busiest day in the month at Dublin Airport was Sunday, July 27 when 126,620 passengers passed through.

Numbers passing through Dublin Airport during the peak summer months of June, July and August are on track to exceed 11 million, with the airport having welcomed a total of 7.3 million passengers in June and July combined.

According to daa CEO Kenny Jacobs: “Demand to fly in and out of Dublin Airport has never been higher and the record numbers in July included a strong flow of tourists and visitors from overseas and also Irish residents heading abroad for their annual summer break. The big numbers travelling in June and July mean we are revising upwards our expected total passenger number for the year, and we now forecast that around 36.2 million passengers will have used Dublin Airport by year-end.

“The growing numbers are a stark reminder of the fallacy of having an out-dated cap on passenger numbers and of the need for the government to follow through on its commitment to do “whatever we can” to remove the needless restriction. We, once again, encourage the government to share the solutions under consideration and the timeline to get this done.

“Passenger numbers hit record numbers in July and the infrastructure in and around Dublin Airport coped admirably, due in no small part to the hard work of the brilliant airport team. Inside the terminals, security screening moved swiftly, passengers enjoyed the many great new food and drink options and other amenities, while on the road network around the airport cars, buses and taxis moved freely.

“My thanks to all the hardworking employees who make this a smooth and enjoyable journey for all our passengers,” added Jacobs.

Cork Airport

Jacobs said: “Cork was once again Ireland’s fastest-growing airport in July, with passenger traffic up 15% compared with July 2025. Our hardworking team in Cork continue to do a great job in keeping our passengers moving and happy no matter how busy we get. Cork’s progress shows no sign of abating with the airport’s winter schedule already taking shape and passengers are going to love Aer Lingus’ recently announced two exciting new routes to Prague and Geneva. KLM’s announcement of a third daily service from Cork to Amsterdam from October onwards is great news too.

“With the first phase of the €200 million Cork Airport capital development plan due to commence imminently, it was encouraging to see Cork City Council granting planning permission in July for an additional 670 long-term car parking spaces. While there’s lots of good work being done to improve public transport connectivity at Cork Airport, the need for additional parking has become apparent to all, given the growth of passenger numbers in the last few years.

“Cork City Council has also granted planning recently for a new solar farm to be built over the Holiday Blue carpark, which will eventually deliver up to 25% of the airport’s electricity needs. It’s a clear example of how a local authority can support its airport as a strategic asset—not just in terms of sustainability, but by enabling the conditions for jobs, investment, and long-term regional growth,” added Jacobs.