DAA 80TH ANNIVERSARY
DUBLIN AIRPORT: How time flies
1936
Irish Government announces plans for a civilian airport at Collinstown
1938
Work begins on the new terminal building
1940
Dublin Airport opens on 19 January with a flight per day to Liverpool Speke Airport
1945
First Dublin Airport-London service begins to Croydon Airport
1947
KLM starts DublinManchesterAmsterdam service
1948
Completion of concrete runways
1949
Passenger numbers reach 200,000 per year
1958
First scheduled transatlantic service as passenger numbers top 500,000 per year
Guided Tour in Dublin Airport circa 1968
countries, Dublin Airport is a thriving hub of economic activity, a significant employer and contributor to the exchequer.” Dublin Airport’s award-winning original terminal building was designed to handle up to 100,000 passengers per year. Last summer, Dublin Airport welcomed more than 100,000 passengers every day. “While the scale of Dublin Airport has changed dramatically over the past 80 years, the core of what the airport does has remained exactly the same throughout that period,” according to Harrison. “Dublin Airport connects Ireland to the world, and we bring people
Dublin Airport circa 1948
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together; for business, for pleasure, at times of sadness, and at times of joy.” Dublin Airport also plays a vital role in growing inbound tourism, in boosting Irish trade and exports and in facilitating foreign direct investment in the Irish economy. “Dublin Airport is at the heart of the Irish economy and its impact reaches all 32 counties on the island of Ireland.” Harrison said that Dublin Airport’s employees are a fundamental element in the success of the airport. “Dublin Airport is a hive of activity 364 days per year and it simply couldn’t operate without the dedication of tens of thousands of employees from daa, airlines, ground handlers, air traffic control, State agencies, retail concessionaires and other firms. As Dublin Airport celebrates its 80th birthday, I’d like to thank both current staff and their retired colleagues.” Dublin Airport was originally known as Collinstown Airport, as it was located in the townland of Collinstown, north of Dublin city centre. Collinstown had been used as a British Royal Flying Corps and RAF base between 1917 and 1922 but had fallen into disrepair before being selected as the site for the new Dublin Airport in late 1936. Work began on the airport site in 1937, as InBUSINESS | SPRING 2020
12/05/2020 14:40