The operator of Dublin and Cork Airports earned €176 million in profits last year.

The takings allowed the daa to pay the State a €31 million dividend, its first since 2019, having clocked up over €1 billion in revenue.

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

The two airports welcomed 36.3 million passengers in 2023, while passenger satisfaction scores at Dublin Airport improved 37 per cent in 2023 over 2022.

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.

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.

Daa’s chief executive Kenny Jacob described 2023 as a “very solid year”.

“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.”