Profits at airport operator DAA increased by 47% to €61m last year.

It says commercial revenue from its domestic and international businesses grew by 30% - and overall passenger numbers at Dublin and Cork airports increased by 14%.

Turnover at the group increased by 21% to €680m, driven by "record passenger numbers" at Dublin Airport - and strong growth in commercial and retail revenues both in Ireland and its overseas businesses.

"DAA had a strong year in 2015 with record passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, Cork Airport returning to traffic growth in the fourth quarter of the year, and an excellent performance by our airport retail business ARI," said DAA Chief Executive Kevin Toland.

Total passenger numbers at Dublin and Cork airports increased by 14% to a record 27.1 million last year.

Dublin grows, Cork declines

Dublin Airport passenger numbers increased by 15% to 25 million.

While numbers at Cork Airport declined by 3% to 2.1 million last year - but the final quarter saw a return to passenger growth at Cork, as the impact of new routes boosted traffic.

Dublin also set new passenger records in all major sectors of its business.

DAA says an extra 3.3 million passengers were welcomed, with 23 new routes and more capacity on 40 existing services.

The group also recently announced that it was progressing with plans for a new €320m runway, as the airport's existing runway "is now at capacity at peak times".

It says the new runway will support up to 31,000 new jobs and €2.2bn worth of economic activity.

"It will allow our existing airline customers to grow and will also help Dublin Airport to attract new airlines to the Irish market", Mr Toland added.