DAA is refunding €1.5m to 30 airlines under growth deal
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is refunding €1.5m in passenger charges to 30 airlines that grew their operations out of the capital's airport last year.
The DAA said that under its Growth Incentive Scheme, the 30 airlines were entitled to rebates in line with their respective levels of growth.
Among those to benefit are Aer Lingus, Etihad, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and US Airways.
Aer Arann, which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service, is also receiving a rebate.
Ryanair, which didn't increase its traffic at Dublin last year and which has cut back services at the airport, isn't receiving any refund. The scheme is available at the three state-owned airports and will be in place until the end of next year.
"Against a difficult economic background, passenger numbers did increase at Dublin Airport last year," said DAA director of strategy, Vincent Harrison.
"International traffic was up 3pc last year, as domestic travel declined, and foreign-originating inbound traffic was the best-performing sector of the market in 2011."
Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport rose 2pc to 18.7 million in 2011. That's still way off the highs at the peak of the boom when the number was more than 23 million.
Airlines that increase their passenger numbers are rebated based on their contribution to the overall growth at the airport in question.
- John Mulligan
Irish Independent
