Overseas arrivals fall 97.1% in June 2020
New figures published by the Central Statistics Office reveal an extraordinary collapse in overseas travel to and from Ireland in June 2020. There were just 57,100 arrivals in June 2020 and 73,900 departures. This compares with monthly travel of approximately 2 million in each direction in June 2019, annual falls of 97.1% in arrivals and 96.4% in departures.
Of the 57,100 persons arriving in Ireland, 40,200 (70.4%) arrived by air and 16,900 (29.6%) arrived by sea. Of the 73,900 persons departing Ireland, 53,100 (71.8%) departed by air and 20,800 (28.2%) departed by sea.
Of those arriving in Ireland in June 2020, 32,300 (56.5%) came by cross-channel routes, 18,300 (32.1%) by continental routes, 3,800 (6.6%) by transatlantic routes and 2,700 (4.8%) by other overseas routes. The corresponding figures for those departing Ireland were 36,800 (49.8%), 33,300 (45.0%), 2,500 (3.3%) and 1,300 (1.8%) respectively.
The most important staging countries for persons travelling overseas to Ireland were Great Britain (32,300), the Netherlands (4,400) and Germany (3,900). The most important staging countries for persons travelling overseas from Ireland were Great Britain (36,800), Germany (6,600) and the Netherlands (6,200).
For the year-to-date (January-June), 3,186,700 persons arrived in Ireland from overseas and 3,173,300 persons departed. These represent decreases of 65.9% and 66.6% respectively compared to the same period in 2019.
Covid-19 Testing to Begin at Dublin Airport
Passengers travelling to Dublin Airport may have to undergo a Covid-19 test before they depart, transport officials have said. Ken Spratt, acting Secretary General at the Department of Transport (formerly Assistant Secretary General for Tourism & Sport), told the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response that officials are ramping up measures to monitor people arriving here. He said “we are giving consideration to potentially introducing testing at departure point. Testing is already in place, particularly where symptoms are presenting.”
Fintan Towey, Assistant Secretary at the Department, said they are considering introducing additional checks and controls at airports and ports. He said: “Our colleagues have looked at terminal screening and temperature controls, but also other tests in relation to the virus, either at point of departure or arrival. If it were possible to have a conclusive test, that would be a measure we could take, but the type of testing available doesn’t provide that level of assurance.”
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
Related Posts
Emergency Exercise To Take Place At Dublin Airport On Thursday →
daa Launches Graduate Scheme →
Squawk 7000 – Aviation News Week starting September 25th 2023 →
