Dublin Airport has reported a 9.7% increase in annual passenger numbers for the month of February - the busiest ever February in the airport's 86-year history.
More than 2.3 million passengers travelled through the airport last month with particularly busy periods around the St Brigid's Bank Holiday weekend, mid-term school breaks and Six Nations rugby fixtures.
The busiest day was on Sunday, March 22, when a total of 103,739 passengers went through the airport, while the most popular destinations in the month were London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Manchester, London Gatwick and London Stansted.
The busy February follows a record month in January when passenger numbers rose by 3.8%.
According to newly published ACI data, this makes Dublin Airport the fastest-growing airport of its size in Europe.
Dublin Airport operator daa said it welcomed the continued progress being made by Government in creating a legislative solution to remove the passenger cap at the airport, adding that it hopes it will progress quickly.
It said it continues to work with other stakeholders on its infrastructure application, which will allow Dublin Airport to build the piers and stands it needs to cater for higher passenger numbers as Ireland's population and demand for travel continues to grow.
Dublin Airport Managing Director Gary McLean said that with strong passenger demand and continued investment in the passenger experience across the airport, Dublin Airport is well positioned for what is shaping up to be another busy year for travel.
"Our March numbers will be impacted by the current issues in the Middle East, which has led to the cancellation of around 80 flights over the past seven days, impacting around 30,000 passengers so far," he said.
"Nevertheless, the coming month will be very busy with two more Six Nations games in Dublin, the Cheltenham racing festival, St Patrick's Day week, the departure of thousands of Irish football fans to the Czech Republic for the upcoming World Cup qualifier and also the Easter period," Mr McLean added.
