Dublin Airport is gearing up for the busiest Christmas in its history with almost 1.2 million passengers set to travel through the travel hub.
From Friday, December 20, 2019 to Friday, January 3, 2020 an expected 1.17m people are expected to travel through the airport - an increase of 3% from the same period last year.
Dublin Airport spokeswoman, Siobhan O'Donnell, said Friday, December 27 is expected to be the busiest day after Christmas with passengers heading off to winter sun destinations.
She said: “Dublin Airport is a truly magical place at Christmas time with many wonderful, emotional family reunions at arrivals in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
“Over the years we have had a number of Christmas marriage proposals, and every year we have grandparents seeing their grandchildren in the flesh for the first time – whether that be Irish emigrants returning home or people from overseas visiting their family here in Ireland.
"Increasingly, those waiting to meet their loved ones at Dublin Airport are entering into the spirit of Christmas by dressing up and making signs to welcome family and friends.”
Over 1,600 performers from local schools and choirs will sing in both terminals in the days leading up to Christmas to welcome travellers home.
The airport campus and terminal buildings have been decorated to give a special atmosphere over the festive season, with more than 300,000 led lights, 60 Christmas trees and 500 metres of garlands installed.
The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTE Radio One will broadcast live from the airport on Monday December 23 between 9am to 10am.
Flight operations will cease on Christmas Eve after the last flight departs to Chisinau with Air Moldova at 11.20pm and will resume on St. Stephen’s Day when Aer Lingus’ EI 104 from New York lands at 5am.
