More Northern Ireland residents using Dublin Airport
New figures from the Dublin Airport Authority show more than 500,000 Northern Ireland residents used Dublin Airport last year, a 15% increase on 2011. The number of Northern Ireland-based passengers using Dublin Airport has almost doubled since 2010 – the vast majority (70%) for holidays or leisure trips – and only 20% for business. The effect of Air Passenger Duty is not mentioned, as it is only £13 for short haul journeys, and has been removed from longer journeys from Northern Ireland. The Irish flight tax is only €3 per flight (it was higher till 2011). Dublin airport says the new road network has made travelling from Northern Ireland to Dublin faster and easier. In 2011 Dublin airport had around 18.7 million passengers, Belfast International had about 4.1 million and Belfast City airport around 2.4 million.
11 March 2013 (BBC)
More Northern Ireland residents using Dublin Airport
More than 500,000 Northern Ireland residents used Dublin Airport last year, a 15% increase on 2011, according to new figures.
The statistics were released by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).
The number of Northern Ireland-based passengers using Dublin Airport has almost doubled since 2010, the DAA said.
Just over 70% of Northern Ireland residents who used the airport in 2012 did so for holidays or leisure trips.
Almost 20% travelled for business reasons.
Three quarters of Northern Ireland passengers took a direct flight from Dublin to their final destination, while 25% transferred to a connecting flight.
The DAA put the 2012 rise in NI passengers down to a number of factors.
“Dublin Airport has an unrivalled route network with direct flights to 170 destinations, we have invested in new facilities in recent years to offer our passengers a much improved travel experience, and the new road network has made travelling from Northern Ireland to Dublin faster and more predictable,” the authority’s Paul O’Kane said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21739755
.
.
The Irish Air Travel Tax:
The Air Travel Tax is an Irish tax flights departing from airports in Ireland. It was introduced in the 2009 Budget. Until 28 February 2011, there were 2 rates of tax, €10 for each passenger flying to an airport more than 300 km from Dublin Airport, and €2 per passenger flying to any other airport within 300 km.As the differential rate was considered by the EU to be an interference with the internal market, there has been a flat rate of €3 since 1 March 2011. Transit passengers are excluded.
.
.
Earlier:
6 November 2012 (BBC)
Air passenger duty abolished on long haul flights
The Stormont assembly passed the final stage of the Air Passenger Duty Bill on Tuesday.
Duty on direct long haul flights departing from Northern Ireland airports will be reduced to zero from January 2013.
The abolition of the tax was welcomed by finance minister Sammy Wilson as a boost to the Northern Ireland economy.
“Direct air links facilitate local firms in doing business with customers outside the region,” he said.
“They are also vital for the local tourism industry and in attracting foreign direct investment to Northern Ireland, both key to growing and rebalancing our economy.
“Abolishing air passenger duty on long haul flights will help to protect and improve our international air access and ensure the competitiveness of our airports.”
John Doran, Belfast International Airport’s managing director said: “Given the increasing differential with regard to direct long haul air passenger duty levels between the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the very specific problems which this caused for Northern Ireland connectivity, we are grateful to the Northern Ireland Executive and HM Treasury that decisive action has been taken.
“We now look forward with renewed vigour to building upon the success of our direct US air links, as well as reaching out into key additional long haul markets in Canada and the eastern hemisphere, in partnership with the investment and tourism authorities.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20227294
.
.
Dublin Airport:
2012
Dublin Airport handled 19.1 million passengers in 2012, which was a 2% increase in passengers over 2011. In 2012, 15 new services were launched from Dublin, of which 10 were to new airports on the network. Dublin Airport served 169 routes with 55 airlines for the year. Of this 150 were scheduled routes served by 31 airlines. The airport’s overall load factor has remained strong over the years. A total of 25.13 million seats were provided in the Dublin market last year with a 76% fill rate.
2011
Dublin Airport handled over 18.7 million passengers in 2011, which was a 2% increase in passengers over 2010. In 2011, 12 new services were launched from Dublin, of which 7 were to new airports on the network. Dublin Airport served 171 routes with 62 airlines for the year. Of this 152 were scheduled routes served by 32 airlines. The airport’s overall load factor has remained strong over the years. A total 24.5 million seats were provided in the Dublin market last year with a 76% fill rate.
2010
Dublin Airport handled over 18.4 million passengers in 2010, which was a 10% decrease in passengers over 2009. The drop followed several years of significant passenger growth at the airport before the start of the global economic crisis in 2009.
In 2010, eight new services were launched from Dublin of which three were to new airports on the network. Dublin Airport served 177 routes with 63 airlines for the year. Of this 155 were scheduled routes served by 34 airlines. The airport’s overall load factor has remained strong over the years. A total 24.5 million seats were provided in the Dublin market last year with a 75% fill rate.
http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/about-us/statistics.aspx
,
.
Belfast International Airport:
- In 2011 Belfast International Airport carried over 4.1 million passengers.
- 62% of passengers were on domestic flights and 38% on international flights.
- 90% of passengers were on scheduled services and 10% on charter services.
- Over 46,000 tonnes of cargo were handled.
- 60% of all passengers travelling to and from Northern Ireland for business purposes use Belfast International Airport. Business passengers account for 30% of the airports total passengers – (CAA Survey Statistics).
- http://www.belfastairport.com/en/content/8/97/key-facts.html
.
.
Belfast City airport:
The airport handled over 2.7 million passengers in 2010, the highers number ever for the airport, though the total fell by -12.5% to 2.4 million in 2011.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Best_Belfast_City_Airport