
Dublin Airport (Irish: Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an international airport located in Collinstown, 7 km north of Dublin, and 3 km south of Swords, Ireland. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe, with over 34.6 million passengers passing through in 2024, making it the busiest airport in Ireland. The airport has undergone significant expansion since its inaugural flight to Liverpool in 1940, including the addition of new runways, terminals, and control centres. Dublin Airport is also one of only two airports in Europe with United States border preclearance services for US-bound passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Swords, Ireland |
| Operator | DAA (formerly Dublin Airport Authority) |
| IATA code | DUB |
| ICAO code | EIDW |
| Passenger traffic | 34.6 million in 2024, the busiest on record |
| Ranking | 13th busiest airport in Europe, busiest in Ireland |
| Traffic levels | Largest on the island of Ireland, followed by Belfast International Airport |
| Network | Extensive short, medium, and long-haul |
| Construction began | 1937 |
| Inaugural flight | 19 January 1940 to Liverpool |
| Terminal building designer | Desmond FitzGerald |
| Terminal building opening | Early 1941 |
| Runway length | 8,650 ft (2,640 m) |
| Pier D stands | 14 |
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What You'll Learn

Dublin Airport is 7 km north of Dublin
Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, 7 km north of Dublin, and 3 km south of Swords. The airport is Ireland's busiest, with over 34.6 million passengers passing through in 2024, making it the airport's busiest year on record. It is also Europe's 13th busiest airport.
The airport has an extensive short-haul and medium-haul network, served by numerous carriers, as well as a significant long-haul network focused on North America and the Middle East. Dublin Airport is one of only two airports in Europe, and three outside the Americas, that offer United States border preclearance services for US-bound passengers. This allows for a smoother entry process upon arrival in the US.
The airport has undergone significant expansion over the years, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, with the addition of new runways, control centres, and terminal extensions. The original terminal building, designed by Desmond FitzGerald and opened in 1941, is a listed building today.
With its proximity to Dublin, just 7 km away, Dublin Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the city and the surrounding region. It offers easy access to the city centre and provides efficient connections to other parts of Ireland and beyond.
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It is the busiest airport in Ireland
Dublin Airport, located just north of the city of Dublin, is the busiest airport in Ireland, serving as a key hub for aviation in the country. With two operating terminals, it handles a significant volume of passenger traffic, catering to both domestic and international travel. Its busy status is underscored by its role as a base for several prominent airlines, including Ireland's flagship carrier, Aer Lingus.
The airport's prominence is evident when examining air traffic statistics. In 2022, Dublin Airport accommodated over 20 million passengers, a significant recovery from the pandemic-induced dip in numbers. This places it far ahead of other Irish airports in terms of passenger volume, reinforcing its status as the nation's primary gateway for air travel.
This busy airport not only facilitates passenger travel but also plays a crucial role in cargo operations. In 2022, it processed over 150,000 metric tons of cargo, further emphasizing its importance to Ireland's aviation industry and its economy.
The airport's busy nature is supported by its range of facilities. Terminal 1, designed by renowned architect Desmond FitzGerald, boasts 47 gates, while Terminal 2, which became operational in 2010, adds a further 19. This capacity allows the airport to manage a substantial number of flights daily, catering to a vast array of destinations.
Strategically situated, Dublin Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the city of Dublin and offers easy connections to the rest of the country. Its location plays a pivotal role in its popularity, attracting travelers heading to or from the capital, as well as those seeking a central point from which to explore Ireland's other attractions.
With its high passenger numbers, cargo operations, efficient facilities, and strategic location, Dublin Airport stands as a pivotal aviation hub in Ireland, solidifying its reputation as the country's busiest and most significant airport.
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The airport's terminal building opened in 1941
Dublin Airport 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.
The airport officially opened at 9:00 am on January 19, 1940, with its inaugural flight departing for Liverpool. The airport's terminal building, however, opened a year later, in early 1941. Designed by architect Desmond FitzGerald, the terminal's curved structure with tiered floors was inspired by the design of luxury ocean liners of that era. This design earned the terminal several architectural awards, including the Triennial Gold Medal of the Royal Hibernian Institute of Architects in 1942. The terminal building was designed to accommodate 100,000 passengers annually.
During the Second World War, Dublin Airport, then known as Collinstown Airport, operated a twice-weekly service to Liverpool. By 1947, flights departing from Dublin expanded to Continental Europe, with Dutch airline KLM initiating the first European service to the airport. In 1948, new concrete runways were constructed, and by 1950, after a decade of operation, the airport had served a total of 920,000 passengers.
By the mid-1950s, the original terminal building could no longer handle the increasing passenger numbers. This prompted the opening of the new North Terminal in June 1959, which became the arrivals terminal for all passengers. The original terminal was then utilised for departures.
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It is one of only two airports in Europe with US border preclearance services
Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Swords. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe, with over 34.6 million passengers passing through in 2024.
Dublin Airport is one of only two airports in Europe with US border preclearance services. The other airport in Europe with this facility is Shannon Airport, also in Ireland. Outside of Europe and North America, Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates also offers preclearance. This means that passengers travelling to the US can clear immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections before boarding their flight. The US Preclearance facility is located at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport. This allows passengers arriving in the US to be treated as domestic arrivals, bypassing immigration queues and making it easier to connect to onward destinations.
The US Preclearance process involves presenting your boarding card to enter the dedicated area. Passengers then undergo the TSA security screening, which includes removing footwear for those aged 12 to 75. After this, travellers present their passport and boarding pass to a US Preclearance officer for inspection. It is important to note that certain food items purchased at Dublin Airport may be prohibited, and all food items should be declared and presented for inspection. Passengers planning to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme must apply for travel authorisation (ESTA) online before travelling.
The US Preclearance process offers several benefits, including cost savings, easier domestic connections, and increased market access for new routes to US destinations. It also eliminates the need for inspections upon arrival in the US, allowing passengers to proceed directly to their connecting flights or final destinations.
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The airport has two terminals
Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Swords. It is the busiest airport in Ireland, with over 34.6 million passengers passing through in 2024, making it the 13th busiest airport in Europe.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have undergone significant expansion and development over the years. Terminal 1, designed by Desmond FitzGerald and opened in 1941, was influenced by the tiered structure of luxury ocean liners. It has since been extended with Pier A and Pier D, providing additional departure gates and quick turn-around stands.
Terminal 2 was built in response to the increasing passenger numbers and the need for modern facilities. It includes Pier C, which offers air bridges for convenient boarding. The construction of Terminal 2 contributed to Dublin Airport's rapid expansion, accommodating a growing number of airlines and destinations.
Both terminals cater to a range of airlines and destinations, serving an extensive short, medium, and long-haul network. Dublin Airport is one of only two airports in Europe with United States border preclearance services for US-bound passengers, enhancing its significance for transatlantic travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Dublin Airport is located in Collinstown, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Dublin, and 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Swords, Ireland.
The IATA code for Dublin Airport is DUB.
In 2024, over 34.6 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport, making it the busiest year in its history.
Dublin Airport is one of only two airports in Europe and three outside the Americas with United States border preclearance services for passengers travelling to the US. The other two airports are Ireland's Shannon Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.










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