Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport has the distinction of being Irelands busiest airport, as well as one of Europe’s top ten destinations. Staff look after over 60,000 passengers every day and as many as 80,000 during peak periods. Dublin Airport services and maintains over 600 planes daily for 63 different airlines and offers 190 routes from its runways.
The airport was opened in 1940 and is located some 6.2 miles north of Dublin City and built on the site of an old abandoned First World War aerodrome. During its early years Dublin Airport did not see much use due to WWII with the occasional flights between Liverpool and Manchester but the 1950’s saw a complete turn around with a new award winning terminal building and increased traffic.
New terminals and wider runways also saw an increase in passenger numbers through Dublin Airport in the 70’s and 80’s while the growth of business opportunities in the 90’s and 2000’s saw even more visitors using the airport. This was especially true of migrant workers from Eastern Europe and business travellers from the US.
Dublin and Shannon airport are the only two airports outside of North America that have pre-screening facilities, enabling passengers to clear customs quicker upon arrival in the US by having paperwork checked in Ireland first.
Location
The airport is just off the main M1 and M50 motorways providing quick and efficient road links into Dublin City. The public service buses operate a regular and cheap service into town and coach services on to Belfast, Cork, Wexford, Sligo etc all operate from the airport. There is also a bus service to the two nearest railway stations at Connolly and Heuston with plans for a new metro service to link the airport to the town centre with an 18-minute trip.
Car Parking at Dublin Airport
There are more than 22,000 car parking spaces at the airport offering both long and short stay provision and a fleet of shuttle buses operate to transfer passengers from their vehicles to and from the main terminals.
Airport Facilities
The main shopping facilities at Dublin Airport are contained in The Loop where there is an extensive range of high street outlets and designer stores. There are also a wide range of bars and restaurants where travellers can eat or drink. VIP passengers can make use of the executive lounges in both terminals for up to three hours before departure.
Accommodation at Dublin Airport
One of the most luxurious accommodations available at the Airport is the Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport. They have a great departure lounge all of their own and are only minutes away from the main terminals. The hotel has 229 stunning rooms available, all fully internet connected and ideal for business travellers who can visit the popular O’Dea’s Irish Bar or Breakfast Room and pick up a sumptuous lunch or quick snack while you wait to board your flight.
Radisson Blu currently have three hotels in Dublin. In addition to the Airport hotel they operate the newly built Royal Hotel in the heart of the city and the AA 5 star St Helens Hotel, Dublin, built in 1750 and is one of the finest hotels in Dublin & was formerly one of Ireland’s most important historic houses. Set in formal gardens, the hotel has been meticulously restored & adapted to provide luxury accommodation for business & leisure guests.
Flights
Dublin Airport is an international airport with its top destinations being London’s five airports, the two airports of Paris and two in New York. Manchester and Birmingham are also favoured destinations, with Frankfurt, Malaga and Amsterdam all proving to be popular European flights. The top ten favourite places to travel from Dublin are completed with journeys to and from Edinburgh and Madrid.
The UK is the commonest destination with over 70 flights daily crossing the Irish Sea to the cities of England, Scotland and Wales. As well as New York, Dublin also serves Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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