Dublin Airport Continues To Grow

At the end of last year Dublin was ranked at its highest in the European service quality rankings table – a customer service driven rankings table compiled from European airport passengers. The rise in the rankings table was seen as mostly due to the new Terminal building and its facilities and also Dublin Airport’s Terminal 1 improvements. One minus point which was noted was Dublin’s Airport Parking facilities – specifically the parking location for regional coaches in Zone 14.

Dublin Airport now has U.S. passport control in the Terminal building which has allowed the Dublin Airport Authority to attract American Airlines together with leading airlines like Emirates and Etihad and other U.S. air carriers. Dublin’s viability as a major airport is further emphasised with a further 5 airlines expected to use the new Terminal 2 in 2012.

Dublin Airport has also received accreditation for reducing its carbon footprint from the Airport Carbon Management Program. In conjunction with other European Airports, Dublin Airport is working to reduce its CO2 emissions - 52% of European air passenger traffic is now covered by an airport carbon management program.

The Airport at Dublin offers a growth incentive scheme to airlines operating through it and the DAA is now paying €1.5 million to 30 of its airlines which grew their operations last year. Those receiving rebates include: Swiss, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways, Norwegian, Aer Arann, SAS, Turkish Airlines and US Airways.

Director of Strategy, Vincent Harrison said: “Against a difficult economic background, passenger numbers did increase at Dublin Airport last year. International traffic was up 3% last year, as domestic travel declined, and foreign originating inbound traffic was the best performing sector of the market in 2011.”

Passenger numbers increased in 2011 to 18.7 million with over 300,000 extra people using the airport than the previous year. Good news for Looking4parking’s Dublin Airport parking operators!