Dublin Airport is set to see around 1.5 million passengers travel through its two terminals over the Christmas period.
The airport said the peak Christmas travel period - Monday December 18 and Friday January 6 - will see more than 75,000 passengers pass through the airport every day.
The busiest day for travel in the run up to Christmas is expected to be Friday December 22 when around 102,000 passengers arrive and depart into Dublin Airport.
Dublin Airport closes on Christmas Day - the only day on which it closes every year. But a number of staff members will remain on duty that day, including the airport's emergency fire services.
Meanwhile, the busiest day after Christmas will be Friday December 29 as many visitors to Ireland return overseas and as thousands more head off to celebrate New Year's Eve all around the world.
Flight operations will cease on Christmas Eve after the last flight - an Aer Lingus flight from Tenerife - arrives at 11pm. Flight operations will resume on St Stephen's Day when a Ryanair flight leaves for Marrakech at 5.55am.
On New Year's Eve, the final passenger flight due to arrive into Dublin Airport will be an Aer Lingus flight from Tenerife at 11.55pm. The following day, the first scheduled flight of the New Year due to depart from Dublin Airport will be a TAP flight to Lisbon at 4.30am.
Dublin Airport said that passengers should arrive two hours in advance of a short-haul flight, and three hours before a long-haul flight.
Passengers checking in a bag should allow additional time of up to an hour.
To get into the festive mood, almost 1,700 performers from 50 schools, choirs and musical groups across North County Dublin will entertain passengers from December 11 with multiple performances daily in Terminal 1 and 2 at Dublin Airport, right up until Christmas Eve.
Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager at Dublin Airport operator daa, said that Dublin Airport will have additional Customer Care staff on duty over the Christmas season to ensure passengers have an efficient and smooth journey through the airport.
Dublin Airport has today launched its "12 Airport Tips for Christmas" to help ensure passengers move smoothly through the airport over the Christmas period.
1. Check which terminal you're departing from
2. Plan to arrive at the airport two hours before a short-haul flight, three hours before long-haul
3. Check what time your airline's check-in desk/bag drop opens
4. Place laptops and electronics in a separate tray
5. Have your liquids under 100ml in a clear re-sealable bag
6. Take off boots, heels and shoes with metal buckles as you approach the x-ray machine
7. Remove jackets, hoodies, scarves, hats and bulky outer garments
8. Don’t wrap gifts (you may be asked to open them at security)
9. Don’t bring snow globes in your hand luggage
10. Don’t bring butter, brandy butter, cranberry sauce in your hand luggage
11. Bring an empty water bottle to refill after security at one of our hydration stations
12. Wish our staff a Happy Christmas as you pass through!
Meanwhile, over 121,000 passengers are expected at Shannon Airport during the Christmas holiday period, an 18% increase compared to the same time last year which saw 75,000 passengers travelling through the airport.
This year will be the busiest Christmas period at the airport in 14 years, with the highest number of passengers to travel through the airport at Christmas since 2009.
Shannon Airport said the increase in passenger numbers reflects the growing popularity of its services.
CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine, said that witnessing passengers return home to loved ones or embark on journeys to reunite with family abroad is truly heartening.
"Ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey for everyone during this festive season remains one of our top priorities," she added.
Shannon Airport will offer 35 routes for 2024, including its new daily seasonal service to New York - JFK with Delta Air Lines starting in May.
