Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A Christmas homecoming in Dublin Airport last year. Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Dublin Airport faces busiest day today as Christmas rush begins

More than 1,600 performers from local schools and choirs will be there to greet the tens of thousands arriving in today.

TODAY IS SET to be Dublin Airport’s busiest day before Christmas, with an expected 1.1 million people due to travel through the airport over the festive period.

More than 1,600 performers from local schools and choirs are due to sing in both terminals 1 and 2 to welcome those travelling to Ireland from overseas this Christmas time.

RTÉ Radio One’s Ryan Tubridy Show will also be broadcast live from the airport on Monday 23 December.

Dublin Airport spokesperson Siobhan O’Donnell said this year will the busiest in the airport’s 79-year history.

She said: “Friday 20 December is expected to be the busiest day before Christmas, with over 90,000 passengers due to arrive and depart through both terminals, while Friday, 27 December is expected to be the busiest day after Christmas, particularly with passengers heading to winter sun and skiing destinations.”

The airport is set to close on Christmas Day – the only day it ever closes – but a number of staff members will remain on duty, including its emergency fire services.

The last flight on Christmas Eve departs to Chisinau with Air Moldova at 11.20pm, with the first flight landing at 5am on Stephen’s Day with the Aer Lingus EI 104 from New York.

Some advice for festive travellers to/from the airport includes not wrapping your present before flying and using gift bags instead.

O’Donnell said: “Many passengers take a lot of care and time to wrap Christmas gifts for family and friends overseas. We would ask them not to wrap these gifts otherwise they may be disappointed if they are requested to open them at the passenger security screening area.”

Passengers travelling from the airport are also advised to allow extra time in case of road congestion on the way, given how busy it will be over the coming days. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
25 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dónal MacAonghusa
    Favourite Dónal MacAonghusa
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 6:49 AM

    On my way home today!! Can’t wait.

    164
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Walsh
    Favourite Patrick Walsh
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 7:34 AM

    Very excited to be flying back to Dublin from Zurich this evening. Always love coming home at Christmas.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Favourite ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 7:23 AM

    Here’s hoping all the passport check kiosks are open…

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 9:58 AM

    @⚡ Seánie ⚡: and the electronic ones. They are deadly

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Favourite ⚡ Seánie ⚡
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 10:44 AM

    @Paul Furey: Not when you’re travelling with the Heirs to the Mortgage though unfortunately

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Murdoch
    Favourite Simon Murdoch
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 7:18 AM

    Always reminds me of that TV3 news clip a few years ago with the toddler running through the airport and lashing himself off a luggage trolley. Poor kid!!….. funny though

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HuffnPuff
    Favourite HuffnPuff
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 9:46 AM

    I would love to be at the airport waiting for my son to come home. Unfortunately this is not the year. Welcome home to all those coming home for Christmas.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O Faolain
    Favourite Paul O Faolain
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 6:29 AM

    Closing Christmas Day is ridiculous it’s 21 century

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zippy
    Favourite Zippy
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 6:47 AM

    @Paul O Faolain: oh sorry Paul Scrooge O Faolain!! Some people enjoy a day off now and then..I can’t wait for today’s work to end been flat out and need a rest Happy Christmas everyone but especially you Paul!!

    160
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
    Favourite Caoimhín O Neill
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 7:27 AM

    @Zippy: why should you wanting a day off affect the rest of the country? I’d love to fly home on the 25th but your DUP mindset sets this country back. Standard services can work within the airport as per shift work rotation as it does around the world. But yeah, Zippy wants thay day off so screw the rest of us who want to travel that day

    14
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zippy
    Favourite Zippy
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 7:38 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: jesus I’d say your great crack around Christmas!! Just a heads up when I said I worked flat out I meant not a single day off since the end of October till last week i have not been around for my young kids on the build up to Christmas thankfully my lovely wife has done a great job!So me wanting to enjoy Christmas is down to me deserving a day off to enjoy my time with my family along with all hard work father’s/mother’s and anyone else who enjoys the festive holidays!!
    DUP mindset really??? Anyway Caoimhín O grinch Neill Happy Christmas!!!

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seeking Truth
    Favourite Seeking Truth
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 8:19 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: Ehhhhh….please fly on the 24th or the 26th. The airport is closed one day out of 365.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe
    Favourite joe
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 8:45 AM

    @Paul O Faolain: there’s no demand for it. Barely anyone in Ireland would fly in the 25th. Waste of money opening!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clifford Brennan
    Favourite Clifford Brennan
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 8:48 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: Here’s your coat, what’s your rush?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
    Favourite Caoimhín O Neill
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 9:57 AM

    @Zippy: sounds like you worked hard, you deserve to put your feet up for the Xmas well done pal. Hope you get a nice cup of tea made for you too. In other news besides yourself, some people want to travel on the 25th or may treat it like any other day. But it makes sense, Dublin Airport should close just because Zippy has been working flat out. Its this lazy attitude which keeps Ireland behind other international hubs. Hopefully your 1970′s thinking has little influence on national decisions

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beer Wolf
    Favourite Beer Wolf
    Report
    Dec 21st 2019, 4:59 PM

    @Paul O Faolain:

    I work at the Airport, good luck getting a predominantly Christian staff working on Christmas… non-Christians won’t be enough to run the place, especially in higher roles lacking them.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
    Favourite Caoimhín O Neill
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 7:28 AM

    Can’t wait to come home today, and then leave a few days later. Backward country stuck in the 90′s

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Duggan
    Favourite Eamonn Duggan
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 8:17 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: Thanks for gracing us with your presence.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Kennedy
    Favourite Joe Kennedy
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 8:18 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: that’s the spirit!!

    28
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clifford Brennan
    Favourite Clifford Brennan
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 8:55 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: I’m reading a lot of projection in your comments Kev. Hope ur ok hun. X

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
    Favourite Caoimhín O Neill
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 9:58 AM

    @Clifford Brennan: ill be fine next week x

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 9:59 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: maybe you shouldn’t bother and do the country a favour?

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe
    Favourite joe
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 10:14 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: says the man with his name in Irish. The irony!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
    Favourite Caoimhín O Neill
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 1:49 PM

    @joe: the irony of having a certified Irish name and wanting to make a quick trip home..?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John D
    Favourite John D
    Report
    Dec 20th 2019, 1:56 PM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: don’t let the door hit you…

    12
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds