daa, the global airport and travel retail group and operator of Dublin and Cork airports, has reported a strong operational performance for the 2025 year. It showcases strong passenger demand, ongoing infrastructure investment and a focus on safe and reliable operations.
In 2025, 39.9 million passengers travelled through Dublin and Cork airports, the busiest year on record, while the daa Group delivered turnover of €1.18 billion. The daa Board has recommended a dividend of €66 million to the State in respect of the 2025 financial year, bringing total dividends paid since 2024 to €165 million.
These results supported €272 million of capital investment during the year, focused on improving the passenger experience, key airfield and aircraft stand upgrades, the installation of new C3 scanners at terminals 1 and 2 at Dublin Airport, the start of construction on a new mezzanine floor to incorporate a new passenger screening area and lounge at Cork Airport, and advancing sustainability across the Group’s Irish and international operations.
Dublin and Cork airports each recorded their busiest year ever, managing record passenger volumes while continuing to deliver high service standards. Dublin Airport welcomed 36.4 million passengers in 2025, a 5% increase on the previous year, supported by a smooth and efficient security experience, with 98% of passengers clearing security in under 20 minutes. Cork Airport welcomed an unprecedented 3.5 million passengers, a 13% increase on 2024, marking its busiest year since opening in 1961.
Basil Geoghegan, Chair of daa, said:
“These results not only underscore but also highlight daa’s crucial role in sustaining economic growth, tourism, trade and connectivity. We successfully translated strong passenger growth at our airports into a solid financial performance, helping to fund investment in our ambitious plans for the future and return a significant dividend to the State. A continuing issue is the challenge posed by operating in multiple, and at times, conflicting regulatory regimes, which impacts our ability to meet the objectives we are set by our shareholder and provide for Ireland’s growing connectivity needs. The most immediate short-term constraint, the 32 million annual passenger cap, has been recognised by government and we welcome its commitment to address the cap by introducing legislation in 2026.”
Nick Cole, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of daa, said:
“The team’s priority throughout 2025 was operational reliability, ensuring we could manage busy periods safely, improve punctuality and deliver a really positive passenger experience, while continuing to invest in our airports. That focus remains as we navigate ongoing regulatory processes and an increasingly uncertain external geopolitical environment.”
