Dublin Airport's Expansive Layout: Size And Scale Insights

Dublin Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving as a hub for European destinations and long-haul flights to North America, the Middle East, and East Asia. In 2019, the airport saw a record-breaking 32.9 million passengers, with 31.5 million passing through in 2018. The airport has two terminals, covering 100,000 sq. metres each, and a vast car park with 23,000 spaces. It is located 7 km north of Dublin and 3 km south of Swords, with bus and taxi services connecting the airport to the city centre.

Terminals: Two terminals, one for short-haul, one for long-haul

Dublin Airport has two terminals, with a combined area of 200,000 square metres. Terminal 1 is mainly for short-haul flights, including all Ryanair flights. Terminal 2 is reserved for long-haul flights and any flight operated by Aer Lingus.

Terminal 1, which opened in 1972, was designed to handle five million passengers per year. It has been regularly extended and improved over the last two decades. In 2009, a new extension featuring new food and retail outlets was added to the side of Terminal 1. Terminal 1 caters for the majority of Ryanair flights.

Terminal 2, which opened in 2010, is newer and larger than Terminal 1. It has a US pre-clearance immigration facility, which was previously housed in Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is now the transatlantic gateway for flights to the United States. It was designed to handle up to 15 million passengers annually.

Passenger numbers: 30-33 million per year

Dublin Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe, with passenger numbers ranging from 30 to 33 million per year. In 2018, 31.5 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the 11th largest airport in the European Union. The airport is Ireland's largest airfield and the main entry point for most visitors. It serves as a hub for European destinations as well as long-haul flights to North America, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Dublin Airport's growth can be attributed to several factors, including its position as a hub for low-cost carrier Ryanair and the increased demand for business travel, inward tourism, and outbound foreign holidays from Ireland. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 mainly serving short-haul flights and Terminal 2 catering to long-haul flights and any flights operated by Aer Lingus, the national carrier.

The airport has a wide range of facilities to enhance the travel experience, including shopping and dining options, a pharmacy, a multi-faith prayer room, and baggage storage. It also has efficient ground transportation options, such as buses, taxis, and car rental services, connecting the airport to the city centre and other parts of Ireland.

Dublin Airport's continuous expansion and high passenger volume highlight its significance as a key transport hub in Europe, contributing to Ireland's economy and connectivity.

Location: 7km north of Dublin

Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, 7km (4.3 miles) north of Dublin and 3km (1.9 miles) south of Swords. The airport is about a 25-minute drive from Dublin city centre, and there are several ways to travel between the two using public transportation, express buses, and taxis.

One of the most popular and affordable ways to get between Dublin and the airport is via bus number 747, also known as the Airlink. The express coach is operated by Dublin Bus and travels between the airport, Dublin's main bus station, O'Connell Street, and the Heuston train station. Tickets can be purchased from the driver for 6 euros each way, or 10 euros round trip. The bus picks up passengers outside the Arrivals hall in Terminal 1.

Dublin Airport is served by a large network of bus and coach routes, serving both the wider Dublin area and the rest of Ireland. More than 700 buses a day service the airport. In addition, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland run local stopping services that serve residential areas such as Santry, Swords, Rathfarnham, Ballinteer, Sutton, Malahide, Beaumont, Harold's Cross, Terenure, Drumcondra, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Portmarnock.

There is no direct rail connection to Dublin Airport. However, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) provides suburban and intercity railway services from Dublin Connolly and Dublin Heuston stations, and there are regular bus services from both stations to the airport. Some city bus services serve Drumcondra suburban railway station, which is on the Connolly to Maynooth line, while the 102 route connects Dublin Airport to Sutton DART station.

History: Military airfield, opened in 1940

Dublin Airport, located in Collinstown, 7 km north of Dublin, began as a wartime aerodrome during World War I. In 1917, the British Royal Flying Corps selected Collinstown as their base, and by April 1918, when the corps was renamed the Royal Air Force, the Collinstown Aerodrome was over 20% complete. Construction was finished in 1919, coinciding with the start of the Irish War of Independence.

In 1936, the Executive Council of the Irish Free State established a new civil airline, Aer Lingus, which began operating from Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel. It was then decided that a civil airport should replace Baldonnel as Dublin's airport, and the Collinstown site was chosen. Work on the new airport began in 1937, and by the end of 1939, a grass airfield surface, internal roads, car parks, and electrical power and lighting were set up.

On January 19, 1940, the inaugural flight from Dublin Airport took off, heading to Liverpool. In August 1938, construction began on a new airport terminal building, designed by Desmond FitzGerald and a team of architects. The terminal building opened in early 1941, influenced by the design of luxury ocean liners at the time.

During World War II, known as "The Emergency" in Ireland, services at Dublin Airport were severely restricted until late 1945. The only international scheduled routes were operated by Aer Lingus to Liverpool, and for a period, to Manchester's Barton Aerodrome.

Following the war, Dublin Airport underwent a significant expansion. Aer Lingus resumed its London service to Croydon in November 1945, and in 1947, KLM started the first European flights to Dublin with a service to Amsterdam. Three new concrete runways were completed by 1948, and by 1950, the airport had welcomed 920,000 passengers in its first ten years of operation.

Airlines: Home to Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair

Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, 7km north of Dublin, and is the largest gateway to Ireland. In 2019, the airport saw a record 32.9 million passengers pass through, making it the 13th busiest airport in Europe. It is also the busiest airport in Ireland and has the largest traffic levels on the island.

Dublin Airport is home to Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair. Ryanair is the fifth-largest airline in the world in terms of capacity and has a fleet of over 450 737-800s. In the second quarter of 2022, Ryanair returned to profitability, making it the most successful of the three largest European low-cost carriers.

Ryanair's success can be attributed to its ability to navigate the challenges posed by the global pandemic, high fuel prices, labour shortages, and rising costs. In August 2022, the airline operated 18.9% more seats than in August 2019, in contrast to the European average airline performance, which saw a 12.3% decrease in capacity.

Ryanair has also increased its revenue by raising the revenue per passenger and adding passengers faster than seats. Additionally, Ryanair has kept its flight cancellation rate at a modest level, contributing to its profitability and keeping passengers happy.

Ryanair's ancillary revenues have also increased, with 39% of its revenue now derived from sources other than tickets. This includes services like priority boarding, extra carry-on luggage, and seat selection.

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