Dublin Airport have projected that the number of passengers arriving and departing from the airport will be down nearly 90% from last Christmas.
137,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport this Christmas. Last year over 1.2 million went through the airport during the festive period. This indicates a drop of 88%.
It is expected that around 127,000 passengers will travel to and from the airport while another 10,000 are expected to use the airport as a connection.
An average of 8,615 departing and arriving passengers is expected each day from December 21 until January 4.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the aviation industry. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said this week Irish people can return home for Christmas, but must take the necessary precautions. You can read Radio Nova’s report on it here.
Dublin Airport spokeswoman, Siobhán O’Donnell said “Dublin Airport will be quieter this Christmas than it has been in decades.”
“Over the Christmas period we would like to remind all passengers to comply fully with Covid-19 guidelines throughout their journey through Dublin Airport”.
“Face masks should be worn when in the airport buildings, social distancing protocols should be observed and there are more than 1,000 hand sanitisers located throughout the airport campus.”
Dublin Airport have also advised people that if they are collecting anyone at the terminals that they must meet them outside the airport. This is in line with the Irish Government guidelines and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines.
Access to both terminals is limited to passengers, staff and airline crew to help maintain social distancing.
The airport will be closed on Christmas except for emergency staff. The last flight on Christmas Eve leaves for Chisinau, Moldova at 11:20pm and the first flight on St. Stephen’s Day departs for Manchester at 6:25am.
