Dublin Tops Major European Airport Growth League

Dublin was the fastest growing of all the major European airports during April, according to new monthly figures today from ACI Europe.

Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport increased by 10.7% during the month – ahead of  next highest performers Istanbul SAW and Amsterdam Schiphol, both at 10.1%, Moscow Sheremetyevo at 9.5%, Barcelona at 8.7% and Paris ORY at 8.4%.

The latest monthly figures show Dublin Airport’s passenger growth holding steady at more or less three times the European average.

ACI Europe said passenger traffic across the entire European network increased by “a somewhat diminished” average of 3% during April, following several months of very dynamic and significant growth.

Passenger traffic at EU airports grew by 3.7%, while growth at airports elsewhere in Europe rose by just 0.8%.

ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec said the lower growth reported in April for passenger traffic was due to a combination of factors.

“These include the Easter traffic boost shifting to March this year, the lingering impact of the Brussels terror attacks and reduced capacity at Brussels airport – which led to an almost –26% passenger decrease in the Belgium market – and ATC strikes in France.”

He added “Wider security concerns seem to have also contributed to slower growth – although that impact is not widespread and rather uneven in the EU. It has however been visibly weighing on the non-EU market with Turkish airports suffering a sharp decrease in international traffic, while Russia too is seeing lower volumes.”