More than 240,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport over the course of the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 16th to Monday 19th March, while Cork Airport is expecting 25,000 passengers.
Dublin Airport is advising passengers to check which terminal their flight is departing from before leaving home. Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines and US Airways operate from Terminal 2, while all other airlines operate from Terminal 1.
With more than 1,600 flights arriving and departing over the bank holiday weekend passengers are advised to be in the terminal building at least 90 minutes before their flight departure time irrespective of whether they are checking in at the airport or have checked in on-line.
Passengers are also advised to prepare for security screening in advance by removing laptops from cases, belts, outer jackets, umbrellas and sharp objects from hand luggage. This will avoid unnecessary delays at the passenger security screening area. Information regarding EU Aviation Security regulations concerning liquids is available on the airport’s website and passengers are advised to familiarise themselves with these before setting out on their journey to the airport.
Dublin Airport will have Customer Care teams on duty across both terminals this bank holiday weekend; they are there to assist passengers with their journey through the airport. Both terminals have been decorated with balloons and bunting to mark the St Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations. Jugglers, stilt walkers, traditional Irish bands and children from local schools will provide musical entertainment for the many overseas visitors expected for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Cork Airport
Cork is gearing up for a bumper weekend of celebrations with more than 70,000 people visiting the city over the three-day holiday and with many of those jetting in from overseas in what is the unofficial start of the tourism season.
HE The Belgian Ambassador to Ireland officially launched the new Aer Lingus Cork – Brussels route last night at a travel trade event in Cork city.
Kevin Cullinane, Marketing Manager for Cork Airport, sponsors of the Cork St Patrick’s Festival, said: “The triple celebration of St Patrick’s Day, the St Patrick’s Festival and Mother’s Day all combine to make this weekend a real reason to celebrate everything we have on offer here in Cork – a gateway to a great city region and the superb south coast of Ireland.
“With 25,000 people due to pass through Cork Airport this St Patrick’s Day weekend, it heralds the start of the tourism season ahead and we are very excited to be involved in sponsorship of the festival again this year and are looking forward to enjoying all of the events on offer as well as a champion parade.”
