Ireland West Airport has recorded the busiest year on record with 834,000 passengers passing through the airport in 2024.
For the first time in the airport’s history, passenger numbers increased by 2%, surpassing the 2023’s record of 817,000 passengers.
The airport now serves 22 international destinations and is served by three of Europe’s major international airlines: Aer Lingus, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair.
Ryanair recorded its busiest-ever year for passenger traffic at the airport with record numbers using its services to the likes of Liverpool and London Luton.
Aer Lingus also recorded its busiest-ever year for passenger traffic at the airport with its London Heathrow route gaining strength in 2024.
UK and Europe
In 2024, the number of passengers travelling on services to and from the UK increased by 1% to 667,732.
The number of passengers travelling on services to mainland and continental Europe increased 9% from 2023, with 165,500 passengers travelling to and from Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Majorca, Malaga, Milan, Cologne, Lanzarote, and Tenerife.
August was the busiest month of the year for Ireland West Airport, with 90,355 passengers travelling through the airport during this period.
Continued investment in the Airport Transformation Programme throughout 2024 saw several infrastructural projects completed at the airport, aiming to maintain the highest international safety and security standards and to modernise facilities.
With the support of the Department of Transport almost €7,000,000 was invested in completing safety, security and infrastructural projects at Ireland West Airport in 2024.
"Second consecutive year of record passenger traffic"
“We are delighted to report a record year for passenger numbers at the airport, the second consecutive year of record passenger traffic,” Ireland West Airport Chairman Arthur French said.
“Demand for our routes and services from right across the region and from overseas continues to grow and this is reflected in achieving record passenger numbers of 834,000 in 2024.
“I would like to thank the outgoing Government, Ministers and TDs for their support for the airport in 2024 and we look forward to working with the new Government representatives in continuing to further develop and grow the airport from 2025 onwards.
“Whilst the coming year will present many challenges, we will continue to work with our stakeholders and airline partners to grow our suite of routes from the airport whilst continuing to invest in our airport transformation and sustainability programmes’.”
2025
The passenger growth forecast for 2025 looks positive for the Airport, following the announcement of a new inbound tourism service from Groningen, Netherlands, which commences in June with Dutch Tour Operator BBI Travel.
Additionally, Ryanair will increase capacity at the airport by approximately 10% in 2025, adding capacity to popular services to Alicante, Malaga and Faro.
Ireland West Airport. Image: Irelan West Airport.
