PASSENGER numbers at Kerry Airport to the end of November have already exceeded the total for 2022 in its entirety and are set to exceed the 400,000-mark by the end of the year.
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 with the total for busy December yet to be factored into the overall outlook.
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% seat occupancy in 2023 and booking activity for next year is already 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.”
Kerry Airport will close on Christmas Eve and reopen on St Stephen’s Day and intending passengers are advised to check with their airline for any travel updates over the festive season.
Management and staff at Kerry Airport wish all their customers a Merry Christmas and safe journeys throughout the New Year.
