How Dublin Airport Is Aiming To Improve Its Image

Dublin Airport announced a range of features and upgrades for passengers this summer. The airport will unveil additional amenities, faster WiFi, and a swifter security screening process, among other new features, over the coming months.

Both terminals at Dublin Airport will see a whole range of improvements, including quicker security times, faster free WiFi, additional seating, including the addition of designated family seating areas, and a mix of new and improved food and beverage options throughout both terminals.

A headline feature of this new plan is the aim by is to see 90% of passengers pass safely through security in less than 20 minutes this summer. The ambitious goal builds on the stable performance the airport has experienced so far this year, with 92% of passengers processed in under 20 minutes. A complete refurbishment of Fast Track is underway in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and around two-thirds of an additional 800 airport security officers have already been hired.

Updates to the departures lounge

After clearing security, passengers can expect to see improvements across the airports. New seating has been installed throughout the airport, with 400 extra seats added for the summer and two new dedicated family seating zones that will also open in Terminal 1 in time for the busy Easter period. All transiting passengers will also enjoy faster free WiFi, with average speeds set to double by the end of the year.

Finding a working power outlet next to the gate will also be more accessible in the coming months. The airport is seeing 20% more power sockets and USB charging ports and conducted s full audit of existing sockets and ports and replaced all broken units. Kenny Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of daa, the operator of Dublin Airport, expressed the motivations behind the new initiative:

“We’ve listened to our passengers’ feedback, and we’re focussing on improving the things that matter most to them. This summer, our passengers can expect to see more staff, shorter queues, more seats, new family seating zones and less clutter across the airport. There will be more buses and taxis at the airport, and more places to eat and drink.”

Photo: Dublin Airport Authority 

Departing passengers can soon experience a broader range of favors available wait waiting for their flights to board. The airport will bring onboard five great new places to eat and drink this summer, in addition to debuting a “pop-up coffee offering” at the busy 100 gates during peak times. The airport will work with existing vendors to introduce new meal deals across food and beverage partners.

The airport operators have put a significant focus on efforts to revamp the airport’s cleaning procedures. The airport’s massive cleaning team will log 1,500 cleaning hours and conduct 120 cleaning inspections every day this summer. Daa’s increased focus on cleaning is already paying off at the airport, with passengers’ “happy or not” scores across the 500+ toilets across both terminals at their highest levels in three years, the agency notes.

Increased travel opportunities

Public transport options to Dublin Airport will also become easier this summer. Today’s announcement highlighted that 15% more bus routes are operating, and 20% more taxi permits are coming to decrease congestion around the airport. This summer is looking to be a busy one for the Irish Airport.

Dublin Airport is now home to 44 airlines flying to almost 190 destinations in 39 countries. Capacity is increasing by 6% compared to last summer, with over 1.5 million seats added across the airport’s route network. Mr Jacobs highlighted the new vacation opportunities and urged passengers to arrive to the airport at a reasonable time:

“We have a fantastic range of new destinations from Dublin Airport and we are ready for a very busy summer ahead. Stable security screening times have returned, and we are advising our passengers to come to the terminal two hours before a short-haul flight, and three hours before a long-haul flight.

“Passengers using Dublin Airport can expect an improved experience this summer with higher standards across the airport and getting back to our usual travel advisory of 2 hours for short-haul and 3 hours for long-haul.”

Photo: Dublin Airport Authority 

February was a record month for both Dublin and Cork airports. Over two million passengers passed through Dublin airport during the month. A number 3% higher than in February 2019, 1% higher than in the previous record set in February 2020, and 55% higher than those seen in February 2022.