By Geoff Percival,Stephen Aherne

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Daa – the operator of Dublin and Cork Airports – has reported a strong operational performance for the first half of 2025; with passenger volumes up by 4%, year-on-year, and group turnover ahead of the same period last year by 6%.

Passenger numbers – across both airports combined – amounted to 18.6 million for the first six months of this year, while group turnover increased to €536.1m.

However, continued cost pressures – group operating costs rising by 10%, year-on-year, to €375.3m in the first half of this year – held back profits, however, with group earnings before interest and tax (EBITDA) down 1% to €160.8m and after-tax profits (before exceptional items) down 5% to €77.8m.

Kenny Jacobs, daa chief executive, said: “It’s been a strong first half despite cost pressures and the teams at daa have really delivered an awesome summer for passengers at Cork and Dublin airports and the shoppers at our 37 travel retail businesses worldwide.

“I’m very pleased to see Minister Darragh O’Brien moving to bring legislative options to Cabinet to remove the 32 million cap that has held back growth and created uncertainty that we, the airlines and the economy don’t need.

“We’ll keep working with stakeholders to progress our planning applications with Fingal County Council as we need to add infrastructure to cope with demand and maintain our excellent standards and we will continue to actively engage with the local community as we need their support. I am delighted that infrastructure expansion has already started at Cork Airport after a record summer there.”

Peter Dunne, daa chief financial officer, added: “The business has continued to deliver a strong operating cash performance with net debt at €742 million after paying a cash dividend of €68 million to our Shareholder in the period and our liquidity remains strong, supported by a €450 million undrawn revolving credit facility. The new €288 million EIB facility gives us cost‑effective financial firepower for sustainability‑led upgrades and terminal improvements.

“Like all businesses, we’re facing sustained cost pressures, from energy and regulatory compliance (including C3 security) to construction and wage inflation, making it a constant challenge to manage our cost base efficiently while maintaining service standards.”

“Dublin Airport’s charges remain among the lowest of major European airports, which is increasingly unsustainable given these pressures and the significant operational and capital investment needed to deliver the standard expected of Ireland’s national gateway and maintain quality across Dublin and Cork. As we approach the next regulatory determination, a fair price outcome will be critical to protecting service, resilience and connectivity for passengers and the wider economy.”

As well, as Dublin and Cork airports, daa runs the Aer Rianta International (ARI) global travel retail company which grew first half profits by 64% to €21.8m.