Dublin Airport is in for a busy Christmas with around 1.5 million passengers set to travel through its two terminals over the festive period and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has issued some travel tips to passengers.
The peak Christmas travel period between Monday, 18th December and Friday, 6th January will see more than 75,000 passengers pass through the airport every day.
The busiest day for travel in the run up to Christmas is expected to be Friday, 22nd December when around 102,000 passengers arrive and depart into Dublin Airport.
The busiest day after Christmas will be Friday, 29th December as many festive visitors to Ireland return overseas and as thousands more head off to celebrate New Year’s Eve all around the world.
Dublin Airport’s passenger advice for those flying over the Christmas period remains to arrive two hours in advance of a short-haul flight, and three hours before a long-haul flight. Passengers checking in a bag should allow additional time of up to an hour.
According to Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager at DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport: “Christmas is a magical time at Dublin Airport as families and loved ones from around the world reunite for the festive period and the Dublin Airport team is ready to welcome them over the coming weeks.
“Every Christmas at Dublin Airport we see the most special of moments, from couples getting engaged to family members seeing each other for the first time in years – sometimes even decades.
“We’ll also be seeing lots of emotional scenes as grandparents, aunts and uncles meet their grandchildren, nieces and nephews for the very first time.”
The Christmas excitement kicked off at Dublin Airport this week with the airport’s biggest ever festive entertainment programme being rolled out in the terminals between now and the big day.
Almost 1,700 performers from 50 schools, choirs and musical groups across North County Dublin will entertain passengers from today (Monday, 11th December) with multiple performances daily in Terminal 1 and 2 at Dublin Airport, right up until Christmas Eve.
Dublin Airport’s 12 Airport Tips for Christmas:
- Check which terminal you’re departing from
- Plan to arrive at the airport 2 hours before a short-haul flight, 3 hours before long-haul
- Check what time your airline’s check-in desk/bag drop opens
- Place laptops and electronics in a separate tray
- Have your liquids under 100ml in a clear re-sealable bag
- Take off boots, heels and shoes with metal buckles as you approach the x-ray machine
- Remove jackets, hoodies, scarves, hats and bulky outer garments
- Don’t wrap gifts (you may be asked to open them at security)
- Don’t bring snow globes in your hand luggage
- Don’t bring butter, brandy butter, cranberry sauce in your hand luggage
- Bring an empty water bottle to refill after security at one of our hydration stations
- Wish our staff a Happy Christmas as you pass through!
