A record 72,000 ferry passengers – nearly three times the normal number - passed through Dublin Port last week during the air traffic disruption.
Dublin Port Company published details of the numbers of passengers using the five ferry companies operating at the port between Thursday of last week and yesterday.
Irish Ferries, Norfolkline, P&O, Seatruck Ferries and Stena Line carried 72,118 passengers on the Dublin to Holyhead and Dublin to Liverpool routes.
Dublin Port Company chief executive Enda Connellan said the past week had been the busiest ever for its ferry terminals following the “unprecedented” disruption of air traffic.
“The five ferry companies operating at Dublin Port have worked tirelessly to facilitate the thousands of passengers who sought alternatives to either make or complete their travels by sea,” he said.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said last week had shown just how important our ports are “not only to the movement of goods but also to the movement of people”.
He commended Dublin, Cork and Rosslare ports and the ferry companies for their “flexibility and efficiency”.