Record number from North opt to fly from Dublin

A record number of people from Northern Ireland chose to travel though Dublin Airport last year according to latest figures which show passenger numbers from the North soared to a high of 864,000.

There are an estimated 1.85 million people living in Northern Ireland but the statistics released by Dublin Airport - which show passengers numbers from the North rose by 52 per cent in a 12 month period - suggest they chose to drive south rather than use any of the three local airports; Belfast International, George Best Belfast City Airport or City of Derry.

Over the last three years Dublin Airport has intensively stepped up its marketing campaign north of the border and according to Paul O’Kane, Dublin Airport’s spokesman, it has paid off.

“Dublin Airport continued to expand its market share in Northern Ireland last year, as Northern Ireland consumers responded to our extensive route network and the huge choice that we now offer.

“We saw strong growth in Northern Ireland passengers choosing Dublin Airport for services to continental European, long-haul and UK provincial destinations last year,” Mr O’Kane said.

According to Dublin Airport the two most popular destinations for passengers from the North were New York’s JFK and then London Heathrow.

Mr O’Kane claims “route choice” was the main reason why travellers from the North chose Dublin and he said “cheaper flights, better flight times and more frequent flights also score highly”.

Dublin Airport said almost half of Northern Ireland travellers who used the airport were travelling on holiday, while business travel accounted for 8 per cent of trips.

The latest figures will add fuel to the campaign by airport operators in the North to secure a lower rate of Air Passenger Duty for the region - the tax that every passenger that departs from a UK airport must pay.

Taxes depend on the destination and ticket class but the average price most people pay is £13 on a short-haul ticket.

Two years ago the British government devolved APD on direct long haul flights from the North to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The air tax was abolished in a bid to secure the Belfast to New York service with United Airlines - currently the only direct link between Northern Ireland and the United States.

Graham Keddie, Belfast International Airport managing director, has said removing the air tax would encourage new businesses and airlines to locate in the North and create a level playing pitch with Dublin Airport.

A spokeswoman for George Best Belfast City Airport said it is also working closely with the government on the issue of APD.

She said the latest figures from Dublin airport “confirms our belief that Northern Ireland consumers have a propensity to travel” and supports their efforts to bring new routes and airlines to Belfast City Airport.