Dublin Airport celebrates 20 millionth passenger after ‘excellent’ year

A million extra passengers will pass through Dublin Airport this year.

The airport has surpassed the 20 million passenger number for the first time since 2009.

The performance was described as "excellent" by the airport's chief executive Kevin Toland.

He pointed out that Dublin Airport has had 16 consecutive months of traffic growth and has outperformed the European average in each of the past 14 months.

The 20th million passenger in 2013 passed through the doors of the airport yesterday morning at 10am.

Roma Chang from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone landed on board United Airlines flight UA126 from Washington.

She was greeted with flowers, champagne and a celebratory gift holiday voucher for €3,000 while the Dublin Airport Police & Fire Service Band rapturously played Congratulations.

“I’m overwhelmed and completely surprised; this is a fantastic way to be greeted on arrival at Dublin Airport,” she said.

Last year Dublin Airport carried 19.1 million passengers which is expected to be 20.1 million by the end of this year. That is an increase of 6 per cent on last year and in line with the overall increases in visitor numbers.

Traffic was bouyed by a record number of US passengers with increased access as a result of the Gathering.

The number of transatlantic passengers this year will be in excess of 1.8 million for the first time, surpassing the previous record set in 2008.

Though this year’s figures amounted to a third successive year of growth, passenger numbers are still 15 per cent down on the peak of 23.5 million in 2008.

Airport spokeswoman Siobhán O'Donnell said they expected the 20 million figure to increase further this year with the addition of 15 new routes including four from Aer Lingus and nine from Ryanair.