Passenger numbers up 0.5% to 3.2 million at Dublin Airport in October

Dublin Airport welcomed 3.2 million passengers in October, an increase of +0.5% on the same month last year, according to airport operator daa. 

The strong performance in October means that a total of 32.2 million passengers passed through the airport in the first ten months of this year, up +4% versus the same period in 2025. 

The number of passengers on transatlantic routes was +1% higher in October, while passenger numbers on routes between the UK and Ireland were up +4%. In the year to date, the number of passengers flying on routes between Dublin and North America is +8% higher, while UK traffic is up +5%.  

The 4% growth in passenger numbers through the first 10 months of the year, which follows 9% growth between 2023 and 2025, is evidence of the demand that’s there to fly in and out of Dublin Airport.  

Commentary 

According to Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport: “The October Bank Holiday and school mid-term break provided a significant boost to passenger numbers in October, with many families taking the opportunity to enjoy a holiday abroad, while we also welcomed large numbers of international visitors coming to Ireland.

“October is an increasingly important month for Irish tourism, with Halloween celebrations helping to showcase Ireland as the home of Halloween and attracting visitors from overseas. The Dublin Marathon and a busy programme of events across the capital also contributed to activity during the month.

“We continue to see strong demand from business and leisure travellers, while Ireland’s EU Presidency is bringing a steady flow of international visitors, officials and delegates into the country, which will continue over the weeks ahead.

“While the summer holiday season may be behind us, October’s figures demonstrate the strength and resilience of demand for air travel to and from Ireland throughout the year. Dublin Airport plays a vital role in supporting tourism, trade and connectivity for the country, and it’s encouraging to see that demand continuing. 

“Increased demand is coming and daa will continue to work with all stakeholders with the aim of ensuring that Dublin Airport is in a position to accommodate more passengers, whilst making sure everything possible is done to meet planning requirements. 

“The need to accommodate this growth at Dublin Airport has to be considered in terms of our impact on our local communities and daa is encouraged by the results of a recent independent survey of more than 1,000 residents by research agency Red C, which indicate that the majority of people living in Fingal and East Meath support continued growth of Dublin Airport.”