Dublin Airport expecting 22% rise in Christmas flights

Dublin Airport expects a rise of 22% in passenger numbers in Christmas flights this year compared to last year.

Operator daa said this will be the airport's busiest festive period ever with a record 1.8 million passengers due to pass through the departures and arrivals halls.

An average of around 96,000 people are expected per day in the 19 day period which began yesterday, 18 December and will run up to 5 January.

The busiest times are expected to be both Sundays 21 and 28 with over 100,000 passengers due to go through the airport each of those days.

Festive cheer and emotional reunions will be seen in the coming days as those who live far from Ireland come home for the Christmas holidays to reunite with family members.

A festive programme is running up to Christmas Eve with musical performances, carol singing and live broadcasts to keep travellers and welcome parties entertained.

Due to the busy period, passengers are advised to arrive two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours in advance of a long-haul flight.

The operator said people can expect a "smooth security experience" with, it says, 95% of passengers getting through the security screening in 20 minutes or under.

The last arrival on Christmas Eve will be an Aer Lingus flight from Tenerife which will land around 11:15pm.

A spokesperson for daa said that they will leave the air space free for Santa and his reindeers to arrive in the early hours of Christmas Day.