More than 620,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport over the course of the Christmas season from today, Wednesday 21st December, to Tuesday 3rd January 2012. This represents a 10% increase over the same period last year.
The Dublin Airport Authority has issued the following six key tips for passengers travelling this Christmas season:
1. PASSENGERS SHOULD CHECK WHICH TERMINAL THEY ARE DEPARTING FROM: Passengers are advised to check which terminal their flight departs from before coming to the airport. Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways and ALL US carriers operate from Terminal 2, while all other airlines operate from Terminal 1.
2. GET TO KNOW THE EU AVIATION SECURITY REGULATIONS : Passengers should familiarise themselves with the EU Aviation Security regulations before travelling to the airport. Passengers are reminded that they cannot bring bottles/perfume gift sets/specially packed bottles of wine or spirits etc. in hand-luggage in containers measuring more than 100mls. Detailed advice on Dublin airport.com.
3. REMOVE ALL SHARP OBJECTS FROM HAND LUGGAGE: Passengers are reminded not to carry sharp objects in their hand-luggage such as scissors, nail files, blades, cork screws, cutlery or other sharp objects of any description. These objects should be packed into luggage, which will then be checked-in to the aircraft baggage hold. Christmas Crackers may be brought through the passenger security screening area provided the novelty gifts inside are not sharp/prohibited items.
4. DON’T WRAP THAT PRESENT: If you are planning to bring Christmas gifts by air this festive season Dublin Airport is asking passengers not to gift wrap presents. A Dublin Airport spokesperson said: “Many passengers take a lot of care and time to wrap Christmas gifts for family and friends overseas. We would ask them not to wrap these gifts so that they are not disappointed if they are requested to open these packages at the passenger screening area.”
5. SPECIAL ADVICE FOR PASSENGERS USING WEB CHECK-IN: Passengers using web check-in should give themselves sufficient time to arrive at the airport in order to clear security screening so that they arrive at their boarding gate on time.
6. ROAD TRAFFIC : Finally, passengers travelling this Christmas season are also advised to allow themselves extra time to get to the airport in the event of road congestion to ensure they comply with check-in and airport security regulations.
While the DAA will have additional Customer Care staff on duty over the Christmas season to ensure passengers have an efficient and smooth journey through the airport, a spokesperson for the DAA said: “We are urging passengers to familiarise themselves with the EU aviation security regulations BEFORE coming to the airport so that security searches are kept to a minimum.
“Friday 23rd December is expected to be the busiest day before Christmas while Monday 2nd January is expected to be the busiest day after Christmas, particularly with passengers heading to skiing destinations.”
Once again the airport and terminal building has been decorated to give a special atmosphere to the airport over this festive season and many local schools have been singing carols in the week before Christmas providing a true ‘Cead Mile Failte’ to the many people coming home for the Christmas holidays.
