A special celebration event is being held today to mark 85 years since the first flight took off from Dublin Airport.
A mix of current and former airport staff, airline workers, aviation enthusiasts and guests from the world of Irish aviation will gather in Dublin Airport's original Old Central Terminal Building to celebrate 85 years of the airport connecting Ireland with the world.
Since the first flight departed Dublin Airport's single grass runway on the morning of January 19th, 1940, more than 700 million passengers have flown in and out of the airport.
Originally known as Collinstown Airport, Dublin Airport has grown over the past 85 years from a solitary Aer Lingus route between Dublin and Liverpool to more than 180 destinations worldwide served by 40+ different airlines.
Speaking ahead of today's event at Dublin Airport, Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, the operator of Dublin Airport, said: "Dublin Airport has come a long over the past 85 years. From starting life with a single grass runway, a terminal built to cater for 100,000 passengers per year and one twice-weekly flight to Liverpool, Dublin Airport today sits at the heart of the national economy and acts as Ireland's national airport, catering for more than 200,000 flights and 30 million passengers per annum.
"While the look and scale of Dublin Airport may have changed hugely since 1940, its reason for being remains the same: to connect Ireland with the world and to bring people together. On this historic day, I want to pay tribute to two sets of people that have made - and continue to make - Dublin Airport such a roaring success - the 30,000+ brilliant staff who have worked for Dublin Airport over the years and, of course, our passengers - all 700 million of them who have travelled through our terminals since 1940.
"Dublin Airport also plays a vital role in facilitating and growing inbound tourism, enabling Irish trade and exports and in bringing foreign direct investment into the Irish economy. Dublin Airport may be located just a few miles north of Dublin, but its impact is felt every day in all 32 counties on the island of Ireland. And while we celebrate the past 85 years, we also look forward to the next 85 - and beyond - when Dublin Airport will continue to act as a vital cog in the function of this island nation and in the lives of our fast-growing population," added Jacobs.
Dublin Airport opened in 1940 with a single grass runway and one terminal building. The Airport’s award-winning original terminal building was designed to handle up to 100,000 passengers per year. Last year, Dublin Airport's two modern terminals welcomed more than 100,000 passengers on 171 separate days.
Over the years, Dublin Airport has been the location for many significant moments in Irish history, including visits from US Presidents and Popes, global superstars like The Beatles and Taylor Swift, as well as the homecomings of countless Irish sports and entertainment stars such as Jack Charlton’s Irish soccer heroes and boxing champions Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington.
The airport's evolution mirrors Ireland's growth, transforming from a small nation to one with a vibrant, outward-looking economy. Today, Dublin Airport continues to be a critical link between Ireland and the rest of the world, supporting tourism, business, and the travel needs of families and friends.
Birthday Celebrations
To mark today’s 85th birthday, Dublin Airport has arranged musical entertainment for passengers between 10am and 6pm in the terminals, with The Blue Belles performing in Terminal 1 Arrivals from 1.15pm to 2.45pm, while the Swing Cats put on a show in Terminal 2 Arrivals between 2pm and 4pm.
Goodies and entertainment were in store too for passengers travelling on the 85th scheduled departure of the day – fittingly scheduled to be a Ryanair flight to Liverpool – with a special boarding gate celebration taking place.
Dublin Airport: How time flies
1936 Irish Government announces plans for a civilian airport at Collinstown
1938 Work begins on the “new” original terminal building
1940 Dublin Airport opens on January 19 with a flight to Liverpool Speke Airport
1945 First Dublin Airport-London service begins to Croydon Airport
1947 KLM starts Dublin-Manchester-Amsterdam service
1948 Completion of concrete runways
1949 Passenger numbers reach 200,000 per year
1958 First scheduled transatlantic service as passenger numbers top 500,000 per year
1959 North Terminal opens
1963 Passenger numbers top 1 million for the first time
1972 Terminal 1 opens
1989 Passenger numbers reach 5 million
1990 Celebrates 50th birthday
1997 Welcomes more than 10 million passengers
2008 Passenger numbers reach a record 23.5 million
2010 Terminal 2 opens
2014 Welcomes 21.7 million passengers
2015 Celebrates 75th anniversary
2016 Passenger numbers pass 30 million for the first time
2019 Work starts on the new North Runway
2020 Dublin Airport celebrates 80th anniversary
2022 The new €320m North Runway opens on-time and on-budget
2023 A planning application - the biggest ever in State - is submitted to allow passenger numbers to grow to 40 million
2024 Passenger demand hits an all-time high, with 33.3 million passengers passing through the airport's two terminals
2025 Celebrates its 85th anniversary
Source: Dublin Airport Authority
