ALMOST 1.6 MILLION passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in March according to figures published by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

That represents an eight per cent increase on the same period last year while overall passenger numbers at the airport are up four per cent in the first quarter of this year.

In total almost 3.9 million passengers travelled through the airport in the first three months of 2013.

Most passengers travelled to European destinations with passenger volumes to and from continental Europe increasing by 14 per cent with more than 780,000 passengers travelled to the continent.

There was also a significant increase in passengers flying to the Middle East and North Africa with 45,000 passengers travelled on these services, representing a 16 per cent increase.

This reflects the increasing popularity of Emirates and Etihad airlines which are now operating routes out of the capital’s airport.

The number of passengers on domestic routes also increased with a four per cent rise in March compared to last year. In total, almost 4,500 passengers travelled through Dublin Airport en route to other destinations around the country.

Travelling to and from the UK was level with last year with just under 600,000 passengers in March. Just under 120,000 passengers travelled on transatlantic routes to North American last month, representing an increase of 8 per cent.

One factor playing into the overall increase in passenger numbers is Easter falling in March this year and therefore coming into first quarter figures.

While tourism bosses might also like to point to The Gathering initiative which aims to attract the Irish disapora home throughout 2013.