Dublin Airport operator records strong recovery in first half of year

Airport operator DAA said passenger numbers recovered strongly in the first six months of the year, with more than 17 million passengers passing through Dublin and Cork airports.

The bulk of the passengers passed through Dublin Airport, with 1.3 million passengers flying in and out of Cork Airport over the six months. The latter is on track to reach 2.7 million by the end of the year.

In the six months to the end of June, total group turnover was €458.8 million, up 55 per cent from the €295.6 million in the prior year. Domestic revenue rose 57.1 per cent to €337.1 million, boosted in part by the increase in passenger numbers. Group profit was €52.6 million after tax, up 123 per cent on 2022 figures.

Aeronautical revenue rose 102 per cent to €130.3 million, up from €64.5 million in the first half of 2022, while non-aeronautical revenue rose by 38 per cent to €206.8 million, driven by stronger food and beverage sales, retail sales and demand for parking and lounge facilities.

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The increase comes amid a rebound in international travel following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Operating costs were up 28 per cent to €252.6 million as normal airport operations resumed.

The international retail, consultancy and management business, which is operated through Aer Rianta International and DAA International, also showed growth during the period. Combined revenue was €121.7 million, up 49 per cent year on year.

The airport operator increased its capital investment to €83.1 million, up from €68.4 million in the first half of the previous year, as it invested in taxiways and aircraft parking stands on Dublin Airport’s airfield, a new hold baggage screening facility in Terminal 1, sustainability initiatives and the new cabin baggage screening equipment in both terminals.

The airports have also improved standards, with security queue times at Dublin Airport down to 20 minutes or less for more than 92 per cent of passengers between January and June.

“There were significant improvements to the overall passenger experience at Dublin Airport in the first half of the year compared to last year and passenger satisfaction ratings are now back to the standards that we routinely delivered pre-Covid,” said DAA chief executive, Kenny Jacobs.

“Our focus now moves to our Infrastructure Application to meet Ireland’s future demand for international travel which requires us to grow the capacity of Dublin Airport to 40 million passengers per annum and allow for the delivery of critical, required infrastructure enhancements such as new piers, taxiways and other airside facilities.”