Dublin Airport's Winter Expansion: New Routes & Increased Gulf Carrier Frequencies

The northern winter season is approaching soon and will bring another busy period for Dublin Airport. The airport has continued to see steady passenger growth in recent years, with more than 26 million travelers passing through its terminals in the first nine months of 2025, a 3.4% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth is expected to continue through the winter season, as the airport expands its network across Europe and beyond.

Dublin Airport recently announced its schedule for the upcoming months, which includes several new routes and returning long-haul services. Among the latest additions are Aer Lingus flights to Turin in northern Italy and Tromsø in Norway, along with the arrival of a new airline, SkyUp, which will connect Dublin with Chișinău, Moldova. Besides, several of the airport’s recently launched transatlantic routes, including Nashville, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis, which were launched in summer 2025, will continue through the winter season.

Middle East Carriers Step Up Dublin Frequencies This Winter

In addition, Dublin’s connectivity to the Middle East is also set to strengthen this winter as all three major Gulf carriers, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, increase their services. Emirates, in particular, has maintained a strong presence in Ireland for more than a decade. Since launching its Dublin–Dubai route in January 2012, the airline has carried over three million passengers, making it one of its most successful European services.

The carrier currently operates a double-daily schedule to Dublin using its Boeing 777-300ER, and from October 26, it will add a third daily frequency to meet growing demand. Earlier in July, the UAE flag carrier also introduced its premium economy cabin on flights to Dublin, becoming the only airline in Ireland to offer a four-class service.

Etihad And Qatar Increase Flights As Gulf Competition Grows

Ireland first gained direct air links to the Middle East in 2007, when Etihad Airways launched flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi. The carrier initially operated four weekly services and quickly expanded to a daily service by March 2008. The route has since become one of Etihad’s most successful in Western Europe, supported by strong leisure and business traffic.

According to OAG Traffic Analyzer, the route carried nearly 14,000 passengers in the 12 months to July 2024, reflecting steady demand for travel between the two capitals. Today, Etihad operates around nine to ten flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, but will increase this to 11 from October 26. The airline is also preparing for a further expansion to 13 weekly frequencies with the launch of the 2026 summer schedule next March.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways, which inaugurated its Dublin–Doha service in 2017, continues to strengthen its presence in the Irish market. Notably, it was the first airline to operate the Airbus A350 to Ireland. The carrier later switched to the Boeing 787 and, in the summer of 2025, added more capacity by deploying the Boeing 777-300ER with 354 seats. Qatar currently operates 14 weekly flights to Dublin and will increase this to 17 from December 2. The additional frequency will include a morning arrival into Doha, which will enhance connections to the airline’s recently introduced morning departures to Sydney and Melbourne.

Saudi Arabia Could Be Next As Gulf Presence Expands In Dublin

Indeed, over the past two decades, Dublin has become an important point in Western Europe for Gulf carriers. What started with Etihad in 2007 has since grown into a network served by all three major Middle Eastern airlines. Each carrier now connects Ireland with its Gulf hub — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha—and uses these links to carry passengers between Dublin and destinations across Asia, Africa, and Australia.

For now, Dublin does not have a direct service to Saudi Arabia. Saudia has yet to enter the market, but given its rapid growth across Europe, it may only be a matter of time. Meanwhile, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new carrier, is preparing to launch operations soon. The airline plans to start with two European destinations and add two new routes each month.

Its long-term goal is to serve every European capital city by 2030, including Dublin. Riyadh Air will begin operations with a Boeing 787-9 for training and certification before introducing more aircraft as deliveries continue.