Dublin Airport
IATA: DUB · ICAO: EIDW · Dublin, Ireland · Last updated: April 2026
Current Status
Dublin Airport is fully operational and serves as Ireland's busiest airport, handling over 33 million passengers annually. The airport operates two runways (10L/28R and 10R/28L, the latter opened in 2022) and is a major hub for both Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Dublin is one of only a handful of European airports with US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance, making it a key transatlantic gateway.
Dublin's inclusion in the MONITOR category relates to a series of drone-related operational disruptions that occurred between 2023 and 2024. Multiple confirmed drone sightings in the airport's controlled airspace triggered temporary runway closures, flight diversions, and delays affecting thousands of passengers. These incidents placed Dublin at the forefront of the European airport drone challenge and prompted significant investment in counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS).
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and daa (the airport operator) have since deployed enhanced detection and mitigation technology. New legislation strengthening drone-related offenses was enacted following the incidents. While the risk of future drone incursions cannot be eliminated, the airport's detection and response capabilities are substantially improved compared to the period when the incidents occurred.
Key Risks
Dublin experienced multiple confirmed drone sightings in 2023-2024 that resulted in runway closures lasting up to several hours. Some incidents involved drones operating at approach altitudes within the airport's final approach paths, posing direct collision risk to arriving aircraft.
Despite enhanced C-UAS deployment, consumer and commercial drones remain widely available and the airport's proximity to populated areas means unauthorized drone flights remain a persistent possibility. The motivation behind some past sightings was never conclusively determined.
Dublin's role as a US pre-clearance hub means that disruptions disproportionately affect transatlantic passengers. A closure during peak departure banks can cascade into delays across the North Atlantic track system, affecting airline scheduling for the following day.
The airport has faced passenger processing challenges during periods of high demand. When operations resume after a drone-related suspension, the surge in departures can overwhelm terminal capacity, particularly in the pre-clearance facility.
Recent Events
Dublin Airport completed the second phase of its C-UAS system upgrade, extending detection range and adding automated tracking capability. The system can now identify and classify drone types in real time.
Irish government enacted strengthened drone legislation with increased penalties for unauthorized flights near airports. The legislation includes provisions for electronic identification requirements on larger consumer drones.
Confirmed drone sighting on final approach to runway 28R resulted in a 90-minute runway suspension. Twelve flights diverted to Shannon and Cork. The drone operator was not identified.
Dublin Airport experienced its most significant drone disruption, with multiple sightings over two days causing repeated suspensions. Over 100 flights were affected, prompting the IAA to accelerate C-UAS procurement.
Airlines Operating
Ryanair (largest operator), Aer Lingus (hub), United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, and numerous European carriers. Dublin is Ryanair's biggest base globally and Aer Lingus's primary hub for transatlantic operations.
The US pre-clearance facility enables passengers to clear US immigration and customs before departure, making Dublin an attractive connecting point for European travelers bound for the United States.
Approach & Navigation
EIDW has ILS (CAT IIIB) on runway 10L/28R and ILS CAT I on the newer runway 10R/28L. VOR/DME and RNAV approaches are available on all runway ends. The airport sits at 242 feet (74 m) elevation on flat coastal terrain north of Dublin city, with no significant terrain obstacles.
GPS-based approaches at Dublin are generally reliable, as the airport is outside the Baltic and Eastern Mediterranean GPS interference zones. Navigation risks at DUB are primarily related to UAS incursions rather than electronic interference.
Related
This page provides publicly available information about airport conditions. Always consult official sources (ICAO, EASA, FAA) and current NOTAMs for operational decisions.