The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is to rebate €1.5 million to 25 airlines that grew their passenger numbers in Dublin last year.
Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport increased by 2 per cent to 19.1 million in 2012, the second consecutive year of traffic growth. An extra 360,000 passengers used Dublin Airport last year. International passengers – both incoming and outgoing – increased by 420,000 or just over 2 per cent.
The amount of cargo passing through Dublin Airport increased last year, rising with an extra 10,000 tonnes of goods shipped.
Growth incentive scheme
Under the new growth incentive scheme operated by the airport manager, a rebate is paid to each airline based on its overall level of growth at Dublin.Among those receiving rebates this year are Air Canada, American Airlines, Etihad, Lufthansa, SAS and Turkish Airlines.
Over the past two years, DAA has returned €3 million in airport charges rebates to its airline customers at Dublin under the growth incentive scheme. The scheme, which will continue to operate in 2013, is aimed at encouraging airlines to maintain and grow their business.
“Despite the downturn, we have seen growth in overall passenger numbers for the second year in a row, and strong demand for long-haul travel into and out of Ireland,” DAA strategy director Vincent Harrison said.
Long-haul
Mr Harrison has predicted growth in Dublin’s long-haul market this year. “American Airlines is launching a new Dublin-JFK service this summer, Aer Lingus will have seven extra return flights per week to US destinations, while Delta is adding three extra flights per week on its daily JFK route and operating the service with a larger aircraft. United and US Airways are also expanding their schedules this year.”
No rebates were paid in relation to Cork or Shannon as traffic did not grow at either airport in 2012.