Welcoming the launch of the new American Airlines daily year-round service between Dublin and New York JFK the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) stated the North American market is growing strongly serving 11 destinations with 224 weekly flights to and from North America this summer.
Transatlantic travel is growing strongly at Dublin Airport this year, as already more than 600,000 passengers have travelled between Dublin and North America, which is an 11% increase on last year.
The number of seats on North American routes is up 27% this summer, which is equivalent to 270,000 extra seats.
In 2012, Dublin Airport welcomed more than 1.6 million Transatlantic passengers, which was a 5% increase on the previous 12 months.
DAA Deputy CEO Mr Oliver Cussen said Dublin Airport was seeing growth in both business and leisure traffic on Transatlantic routes stating "There’s clearly an increase in premium travel on North American routes and we’re also seeing growth in US tourists coming into Ireland, as The Gathering, which is supported by DAA, is generating coverage and interest in Ireland throughout America.
This summer, during the peak season, we will have 224 flights to and from Dublin and North America per week. We are constantly talking to new and existing customers about the potential for new long-haul routes from Dublin Airport and we expect to have news of further long-haul expansion over the coming months."
Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said "The United States is a tremendously important tourism market. The most recent figures from the CSO show a very positive start to 2013, with an increase in visitor numbers from North America +16% for the period February to April. This is an exiciting year for Tourism, with The Gathering having much caught the imagination of American Travellers-particularly those with Irish hertiage. We believe that we are on course to achieve our best ever year from this market in 2013, we hope to welcome over 1 million American visitors, spending about $1 Billion."
The ability to pre-clear US customs and immigration at Dublin prior to departure is a convenient facility for passengers and a major selling point for Dublin Airport, as it a smoother arrival in the US and much easier onward connections.
North America carriers operate from both Dublin Airport Terminal 1 and 2. Air Canada and Air Transat operate from Terminal 1 and Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines from Terminal 2.
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 13th June 2013 All Rights Reserved.
