Dublin Airport Prepares for St Patrick's Week Surge

Dublin Airport is set to play its pivotal role as Ireland's primary international gateway during an exceptionally busy St Patrick's week. The airport is rolling out the green carpet for a diverse crowd, including Oscar winners, Cheltenham race-goers, rugby enthusiasts, and hundreds of thousands of St Patrick’s Day celebrants from around the globe.

From today until next Monday, Dublin Airport anticipates over 650,000 passengers will traverse its terminals, with the peak expected on Friday. An estimated 105,000 passengers, split between 51,000 arrivals and 54,000 departures, are projected for the day, making it the busiest period of the week.

In preparation for the surge, Dublin Airport advises passengers to arrive at their terminal two hours ahead of short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights. The week's activities began today with the departure of thousands of horse racing fans to the Cheltenham Racing Festival in England.

Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager at daa, the operator of Dublin Airport, highlighted the readiness of the airport team to manage the influx. "From welcoming Oscar winner Cillian Murphy home to accommodating the influx of tourists for St Patrick's Day, we're prepared for a busy week," McQueen said. The Cheltenham Festival remains a popular event for Irish racing enthusiasts, with flights to southern England particularly busy.

The build-up to St Patrick's Day is expected to intensify from Thursday, with approximately 183,000 people flying into Dublin Airport in the lead-up to the holiday. Among these will be around 5,000 Scottish rugby fans arriving for the final Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, alongside thousands taking advantage of the long bank holiday weekend for city breaks or spring vacations.

Passengers are advised to plan their airport transportation in advance, with a strong encouragement to utilize bus services. Due to high demand, particularly in short-term parking areas, those driving to the airport are urged to book parking well ahead of time to secure the best rates and ensure availability for their travel dates. As Dublin Airport prepares for this significant wave of international and domestic travelers, it remains committed to facilitating a smooth and festive experience for all.