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Dublin Airport (Irish: Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an international airport located in Collinstown, just north of Dublin, Ireland. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 34.6 million passengers in 2024. The airport offers flights to various domestic and international destinations, including long-haul routes to North America and the Middle East. With two terminals, efficient transport links, and a range of amenities, Dublin Airport is a modern and pleasant travel hub for passengers from all over the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dublin Airport |
| Location | Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Swords |
| Year opened | 1940 |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Website | https://www.dublinairport.com/ |
| Operators | DAA (formerly Dublin Airport Authority) |
| Airlines | Aer Lingus, Ryanair, United, Delta, American, US Airways, Etihad |
| Destinations | 170+ direct destinations, 31 intercontinental destinations (as of 2019) |
| Annual passenger traffic | 34.6 million (2024) |
| Public transport | Bus, taxi, private transport, suburban and intercity rail services |
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What You'll Learn
Location and transport links
Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, just off the M1 and M50 motorways, 10 km (6.2 miles) north of Dublin city centre, and 3 km (1.9 miles) south of the town of Swords. It is easily accessible by road, with several car parks available for passengers and visitors.
Although there is no direct rail connection to the airport, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) provides suburban and intercity rail services from Dublin Connolly and Dublin Heuston stations, both of which offer regular bus connections to the airport.
Dublin Airport is well-connected by bus, with services to and from Dublin City Centre and other major cities and towns across Ireland. Bus Éireann operates 18 routes from the airport to destinations such as Waterford, Drogheda, and Dundalk. Aircoach provides longer-distance services to Cork City and Belfast, while other operators offer connections to Galway, Carlow, Limerick, Kilkenny, and Wexford.
Dublin Airport is served by two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which opened in the early 1940s and 2010, respectively. Terminal 2 primarily handles long-haul flights and features a modern design with a glass and metal exterior and a central concourse. Both terminals offer dining options, with Terminal 1 featuring a food hall and Terminal 2 hosting a variety of international cuisines. The Garden Terrace, a roof garden bar and restaurant in Terminal 2, offers sweeping views of the airfield and is the only smoking area within the airport.
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History and development
Dublin Airport (Irish: Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an international airport serving Dublin, Ireland. It is located in Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of the town of Swords.
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. The following year, it was decided that a civil airport should replace Baldonnel as Dublin's airport. The Collinstown site was chosen and extended into the neighbouring townlands of Rock and Corballis. Work on the new airport began in 1937. By the end of 1939, a grass airfield surface, internal roads, car parks, and electrical power and lighting were set up. The inaugural flight from Dublin Airport took place on 19 January 1940 at 9:00 am. It was an Aer Lingus Lockheed 14 bound for Liverpool, departing from what was then known as Collinstown Airport.
In August 1938, work began on a new airport terminal building, designed by architect Desmond FitzGerald, brother of politician Garret FitzGerald. FitzGerald's design was influenced by the tiered structure of luxury ocean liners, and it won the Triennial Gold Medal of the Royal Hibernian Institute of Architects in 1942. The terminal opened in early 1941. During World War II, services were restricted, with the only international scheduled routes operated by Aer Lingus to Liverpool, and for a period, to Manchester's Barton Aerodrome.
After the war, the airport expanded rapidly. In 1947, Dutch airline KLM began the first European service to Dublin, and three new concrete runways were completed in 1948. By 1950, the airport had been used by a total of 920,000 passengers. Throughout the 1950s, the airport continued to expand, with runway extensions and terminal enhancements. However, by the late 1950s, the original terminal was no longer adequate to handle the growing passenger numbers. A new North Terminal was opened in June 1959, which became the arrivals area for all passengers. In the 1960s, new departure gate piers were added, and by 1969, the airport handled 1,737,151 passengers.
The airport continued to expand in the 1970s, with the construction of a new £10 million terminal, new gate piers, and a new runway. In the 1980s and 1990s, passenger numbers continued to grow, and in 2004, the Dublin Airport Authority plc was established. In November 2010, a major new development was completed, including Terminal 2 and its connected boarding gate pier, allowing the airport to handle more than 30 million passengers per year. In 2023, the DAA applied to extend the passenger cap to 40 million. As of 2024, Dublin Airport has been the busiest in its history, with over 34.6 million passengers, making it the 13th busiest airport in Europe.
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Airlines and destinations
Dublin Airport (DUB) is an international airport serving Dublin, Ireland. It is located in Collinstown, about 7 km north of Dublin, and 3 km south of Swords. The airport is owned by the Government of Ireland and operated by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). With over 34.6 million passengers in 2024, it is the busiest airport in Ireland and the 13th busiest in Europe.
Dublin Airport offers an extensive network of short, medium, and long-haul flights. As of 2019, the airport served 31 intercontinental destinations, including 22 cities in North America. Some of the airlines operating from Dublin Airport include:
- Aer Lingus: Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland and has its hub at Dublin Airport. It operates from Terminal 2 and offers flights to various destinations in Europe and North America.
- Ryanair: Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost carrier and has its home base at Dublin Airport. It serves a wide range of destinations across Europe and North Africa.
- Emirates: Emirates has been serving Dublin from Dubai since 2012 and operates from Terminal 2.
- Etihad Airways: Etihad Airways operates flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi, offering up to 14 weekly flights.
- Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways commenced daily services to Dublin Airport from Doha in 2017.
- Cathay Pacific: In 2018, Cathay Pacific launched the first direct flights between Dublin and Hong Kong, operating four weekly flights.
- Hainan Airlines: Hainan Airlines previously offered services to Beijing and Shenzhen but withdrew from Dublin in 2019.
In addition to these international carriers, several other airlines operate domestic and regional flights from Dublin Airport, including British Airways, Iberia Express, Vueling, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines.
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Passenger numbers and statistics
Dublin Airport (DUB) is an international airport serving Dublin, Ireland. It is located in Collinstown, 7 km north of Dublin, and 3 km south of Swords. It is the busiest airport in Ireland, with the largest traffic levels on the island, followed by Belfast International Airport.
Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport have been steadily increasing over the years. In 2012, the airport saw 19.1 million passengers, which increased to 20.2 million in 2013 and 21.7 million in 2014. In 2015, passenger numbers exceeded 25 million for the first time, with a record of 23.46 million. In 2022, 26,809,461 passengers used Dublin Airport, representing a 224.50% increase compared to 2021.
In 2023, Dublin Airport's passenger numbers reached almost 32 million, with 31.908 million passing through its terminals. This was in compliance with the 32 million terminals cap. The busiest day in the airport's history was on Sunday, July 30, 2023, when 121,000 passengers travelled through. In December 2023, the airport saw 2.3 million passengers, with 1.2 million departing passengers.
In 2024, over 34.6 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport, making it the busiest year on record. This contributed to a significant increase in international travel during the year, with 39.2 million people travelling through Ireland's five main airports.
Dublin Airport has applied to increase its passenger cap to 40 million, which would result in further economic growth and more job opportunities.
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Terminals and facilities
Dublin Airport (DUB) is an international airport serving Dublin, Ireland. It is located in Collinstown, about 6-7 miles north of the city centre, and is the busiest airport in Ireland. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which was added in 2010. Both terminals offer dining options, with Terminal 1 providing a food hall and Terminal 2 featuring an array of cuisines, including Thai, Vietnamese, and an Irish bar. The Garden Terrace, a roof garden bar and restaurant in Terminal 2, is the nicest dining spot and the only place in the airport where smoking is permitted.
Terminal 2, designed by architect Desmond FitzGerald, is a modern glass and sleek metal structure with a three-story concourse and a transparent, sea-blue glass elevator shaft. It primarily handles long-haul flights and is home to Aer Lingus' popular Dublin-London route. Terminal 1, the original terminal, opened in 1941 and was designed with influences from the tiered structure of luxury ocean liners of that time. It is a listed building, having won the Triennial Gold Medal of the Royal Hibernian Institute of Architects in 1942.
Dublin Airport offers a range of facilities for passengers, including lounges, car parks, and fast-track security in both terminals. The airport also provides bus services to various destinations, including Dublin City Centre, Galway, Cork, and Belfast, with tickets available for purchase on the airport's website. Additionally, taxi services are available at taxi ranks outside both terminals. While there is no direct rail connection to the airport, Irish Rail provides suburban and intercity railway services from Dublin Connolly and Dublin Heuston stations, with regular bus connections to the airport.
The airport serves as a hub for Aer Lingus and is the home base for Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier. In 2024, the airport handled over 34.6 million passengers, making it the 13th busiest airport in Europe. With an extensive short and medium-haul network and a growing long-haul focus on North America and the Middle East, Dublin Airport continues to be a significant aviation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an international airport in Dublin, Ireland.
Dublin Airport is located just off the M1 and M50, 10km (6.2 miles) north of the city centre. There is no rail link to the airport, but there are bus and taxi services available.
Terminal 1 offers a food hall with sandwiches and drinks. Terminal 2 has dining and bar areas, including an Irish bar, and food areas serving pastries, Thai and Vietnamese dishes, and burgers. The nicest place to dine is the Garden Terrace, a roof garden bar and restaurant with sweeping views of the airfield.
