Dublin Airport says gearing up for 'busiest ever summer'

Dublin Airport says it has made a number of improvements to terminals and the passenger experience at the airport, as it prepares for its busiest ever summer.

According to the airport, more than 11 million passengers are expected to travel through its two terminals between June and August, which would be around 300,000 more than last summer.

The airport said it expects more than 100,000 passengers daily across the summer, adding that the airport's previous record busiest day - 130,427 on 10 August 2025 - is "almost certain to be eclipsed".

Dublin Airport Managing Director Gary McLean said there has been no "short-term impact on fuel supplies coming into airport" due to the situation in the Middle East.

Among the improvements at the airport this summer are the new Phoenix Lounge in Terminal 1, which can accommodate 300 people, double the previous T1 lounge capacity.

A new upstairs Fast Track facility has also been opened in Terminal 1, which Dublin Airport said offers a "more luxurious" option for passengers.

Meanwhile, new C3 scanning technology has been fully rolled out in both terminals, meaning the 100ml liquid limit has been removed and passengers can now take up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage - without the need to remove it when going through security.

However, passengers are still advised to check the liquid rules at their return airport to find out whether the 100ml limit is still in place there.

The airport said 97% of passengers made it through security in under 20 minutes in 2025, and it is aiming for this figure to be maintained at least 95% for this year.

In terms of future capacity, Dublin Airport said it has capacity for at least 40 million passengers annually.

However, there is a 32 million passenger cap at the airport, which is part of planning legislation dating back to 2007.

The cap is currently suspended and Government says it is committed to removing it, which would allow for up to 40 million passengers to travel through the airport on a yearly basis.

Legislation to remove the current passenger cap is yet to be published.

Mr McLean said passenger numbers were up by around 9% for the first three months of the year, which was "mainly the result of the lifting of the winter slot capacity restriction, which was in place for the corresponding period in 2025".

"Passenger numbers continued to increase in April, albeit at a slower low single-digit pace, and this trend is expected to continue over the coming months with numbers travelling during the peak summer months expected to be up around 2% on last year," he said.

Mr McLean added that the airport is looking forward to a "quick and positive resolution" to the passenger-cap situation.

Across the summer, 190 destinations are being offered by over 40 airlines at Dublin, with 2,700 weekly flights.

There will also be a dedicated team working on planning for Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026.