Passenger Numbers at Kerry Airport Approaching Record Levels

Passenger numbers at Kerry Airport to the end of November have already exceeded the total for 2022 and will exceed 400,000 by the end of the year. The last and only time that the 400,000 threshold was crossed was back in 2008 when 426,115 used the airport. It’s likely the 2023 figures will come very close to or possibly even exceed it.

392,541 people travelled in and out of Kerry Airport on Ryanair and charter flights from January to November 2023 compared to 356,141 for the full 12 months of last year. There was a 19.6% increase year-on-year for the 11-month period. Flights to the UK – Manchester, London Luton and London Stansted – accounted for half of the overall passenger footfall in 2023.

The two summer sun destinations in Spain and Portugal enjoyed an average 92% load factor this year and booking activity for next year is already reported to be strong. Kerry Airport recently received a pre-Christmas boost with the confirmation that Ryanair will operate four weekly flights to Alicante and three weekly flights to Faro from April 2024. Discussions with French airline Chalair for the return of a route to Brittany in 2024 are also at an advanced stage.

Kerry Airport CEO John Mulhern said: “Kerry Airport is very pleased with how the year has performed with an almost 20% increase in passenger numbers so far. The continuing support of our Christmas is always a busy time of year for airlines and airport staff. My recommendation is that if you are heading out on a flight, make sure you turn up early because there will be significant crowds departing on trips or heading home to loved ones. We’ll have thousands of people travelling to Kerry from all corners of the world and we look forward to welcoming them home for Christmas.”