Da earned €176 million profits last year, allowing it to pay a €31 million dividend to the State, its first since 2019.

Operator for Dublin and Cork airports, the Daa has earned in excess of €1 billion in revenue.

Turnover in the period was €1,018 million for 2023, which represented an increase of 35 per cent on 2022.

Dublin and Cork airports, Ireland’s two busiest international gateways, welcomed 36.3 million passengers in total in 2023.

A total of 31.9 million passengers passed through the two terminals at Dublin Airport in 2023, in compliance with the 32 million terminal cap as adjusted for transfer and transit passengers.

Passenger satisfaction scores at Dublin Airport improved 37 per cent in 2023 over 2022.

Cork Airport enjoyed the busiest year in its 62-year history for international passenger traffic, with 2.8 million passengers travelling through in 2023, a 25 per cent increase on 2022 levels.

Kenny Jacob’s daa’s CEO said: “2023 was a very solid year for daa, as our teams delivered a much-improved airport experience for our passengers. We also delivered for our business partners at all the airports we operate at home and abroad. I am proud of the progress that I see across the daa Group.

“As a team, we are moving quicker, getting the basics right for passengers and we are bringing more innovation on airports, commercial (lounges, Food & Beverage, retail, fast track, Airport Club, drop & go parking) digital and sustainability.”