The operator of Dublin and Cork airports recorded a post-tax profit of €230m last year, with daa saying it was the busiest year on record for the company in terms of passenger numbers.
Publishing its annual financial results today, the semi-state company also said its board has recommended a dividend of €66m to the State for 2025, which will bring total dividends paid over the last two years to €165m.
39.9 million passengers travelled through Dublin and Cork airports in 2025, the highest ever combined yearly number, daa said.
The group saw turnover of €1.18 billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of €401m, with profit after tax of €230m.
The company said the "strong operational performance" for last year was delivered despite "cost pressures and an evolving regulatory and planning environment".
Commenting on the results, outgoing daa Chair Basil Geoghegan referenced the challenges posed to Dublin Airport's growth by the passenger cap.
Mr Geoghegan said operating in "conflicting regulatory regimes impacts our ability to meet the objectives we are set by our shareholder and provide for Ireland's growing connectivity needs.
"The most immediate short-term constraint, the 32-million annual passenger cap, has been recognised by Government and we welcome its commitment to address the cap by introducing legislation in 2026," he added.
The airport operator also said the positive financial results supported €272m of capital investment during the year.
This included key airfield and aircraft stand upgrades, and the installation of new C3 scanners at Terminals 1 and 2 at Dublin Airport.
The introduction of C3 scanners at the airport mean passengers no longer need to remove liquids, gels, or electronics from their hand luggage at security in either terminal.
The results note that 98% of passengers last year cleared security at Dublin Airport in under 20 minutes, adding the airport recorded its fourth consecutive year of improved punctuality and achieved its highest‑ever passenger satisfaction scores.
Meanwhile, daa said construction has started on a new mezzanine floor to incorporate a new passenger-screening area and lounge at Cork Airport.
Across 2025, Dublin Airport welcomed 36.4 million passengers (a 5% increase on the previous year), while Cork Airport saw 3.5 million passengers (a 13% increase on 2024).
This marked the busiest year for Cork Airport since opening in 1961.
Giving further detail on the 2025 results, daa group chief financial officer Peter Dunne said "group profit before exceptionals and fair value movements reduced by €6m (2%), with increases in turnover and EBITDA generated by the group from our domestic and international activities being offset by a reduction in interest received, primarily due to lower deposit interest rates and an increase in the depreciation charge following sustained capital investment over the last number of years".
Internationally, daa International said it supported record passenger volumes at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and the successful opening and growth of Red Sea International Airport - both of which it also operates.
