Dublin Airport leadership outlines future growth strategy at Fingal Chamber business briefing

Fingal Chamber welcomed business leaders from across the region this morning for a high-level briefing with Dublin Airport Managing Director Gary McLean, who outlined the airport’s long-term vision for sustainable growth, infrastructure investment and Ireland’s future connectivity needs.

Hosted at the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport Central, the event brought together members of the business community to hear first-hand about the strategic importance of Dublin Airport as a national economic asset and a key driver of employment, trade, tourism and investment across Fingal and Ireland.

During the briefing, Mr McLean highlighted the scale of activity at Dublin Airport, which handled more than 36.4 million passengers in 2025, while 97% of passengers passed through security in under 20 minutes. He also outlined preparations for the busy Summer 2026 season, with passenger volumes expected to reach 24.6 million between April and October.

The presentation focused on the airport’s ongoing infrastructure investment programme, operational resilience, sustainability measures and the need for greater planning certainty to support future growth and competitiveness. Mr McLean emphasised that continued investment in Dublin Airport is essential to maintaining Ireland’s global connectivity and supporting long-term economic development.

Anthony Cooney, Chief Executive of Fingal Chamber, said:

“Dublin Airport is one of Ireland’s most strategically important pieces of infrastructure and a cornerstone of Fingal’s economy. Today’s discussion reinforced the importance of delivering the infrastructure, planning certainty and transport connectivity needed to support sustainable growth and regional competitiveness.

“As the collective voice of business in Fingal, we continue to champion policy priorities around housing, skills, transport and competitiveness because businesses need certainty and infrastructure investment to grow and compete internationally.”

Mr Cooney added:

“Dublin Airport’s success directly supports thousands of jobs, local enterprises and international investment opportunities across Fingal and the wider region. Events like this are important in strengthening engagement between business leaders and key national stakeholders.”

Speaking at the event, Gary McLean highlighted the importance of balancing growth with sustainability and community engagement, while also underlining the opportunities continued investment creates for local businesses through procurement, partnerships and supply chains.

Fingal Chamber continues to represent the collective voice of business in Fingal, supporting enterprise and driving regional competitiveness through advocacy, collaboration and strategic engagement with business and policymakers.