Almost half a million passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport alone this weekend.
Dublin Airport have estimated that just under
half a million passengers (485,000) are due to pass through Dublin Airport over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. Easter Monday is set to be the busiest day of the five-day period, with 103,000 passengers flying in and out, while Good Friday will be the busiest day for departures.
Getting there
DAA have advised that demand for parking at the Airport is very high this weekend, with some days already close to being sold out. They have suggested booking car parking online in advance and to also consider alternate ways of getting to and from the airport such as bus, by taxi or drop-off.
Advising those planning to travel this weekend Kevin Cullinane, daa’s Group Head of Communications, said:
“Passengers travelling from Dublin Airport this busy Easter holiday period can expect to experience improved service standards across both terminals. While a remarkably busy summer schedule is now well underway, it is great to be back to our normal travel advice to arrive 2 hours before a short-haul flight and 3 hours for a long-haul flight after the pandemic".
Almost 500,000 people are set to travel through Dublin Airport this year. Image via Shutterstock.
Anti-drone Technology
Mr Cullinane also confirmed that anti-drone technology will not be rolled out at Dublin Airport in time for the Easter weekend. Since the start of this year, six incidents of illegal drone activity around Dublin Airport have led to severe disruption to flights. The Head of Communications said the technology is
not ready yet as the airport is continuing to “work with the relevant regulatory agencies” in advance of the deployment of this new counter-drone technology.
Protests
Ryanair have warned passengers of major delays and cancellations around Europe due to strike action in France. Air traffic controllers are holding strikes until April 8, coinciding with people heading away for the Easter weekend.
Ryanair said flights flying over the country are also being affected.
A spokesperson wrote: "Due to the French ATC strike from Fri 24 March to Saturday April 8, passengers flying to/from/over France may face delays/cancellations.
"Affected customers will be notified and advised of their options.
"We sincerely apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused as a result of this French ATC strike which is entirely beyond our control."
Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher said the strike action shouldn't be allowed to "ruin people's holidays."
He said: “It is simply farcical that ongoing strike action by French Traffic Controllers is causing the cancellation of flights that aren’t even taking off or landing in France.
“No flights that are only flying over France, and not to or from the country, should be affected by what is a domestic industrial relations dispute.
“The French are entitled to strike if they choose to, but they cannot hold the rest of Europe hostage. The cost to airlines is huge in terms of compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Ultimately, these costs have to be passed onto customers in terms of higher airfares
“Ireland, in particular, is being heavily impacted by these strikes as many of Ireland’s busiest routes need to fly over France to reach their final destinations. As we move into the summer, popular holiday destinations in Spain and Portugal could be impacted if these strikes continue.
“A solution exists already. In the short term, we should allow other air-traffic control bodies to manage flights flying over France until the strikes are concluded."
Header image via Shutterstock
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