The recent closure of Irish and European airspace due to the Icelandic volcano cost airports in Ireland at least €8 million.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) – which operates Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports – says 3,200 flights were cancelled and 400,000 passengers affected during the 6 days of restrictions.

At its annual report launch today, the DAA also revealed passenger numbers at Irish airports fell by 13% last year to just over 26 million.

The DAA Chief Executive – Declan Collier – says airports in Ireland took a big hit from the recent travel chaos.

“The cost to us has been in the region of 7 or 8 million” he said.

“The airlines as you know have been affected – but also when you look at the people who provide food and beverage or shop and retailers at the airport they were all heavily affected during the time”.

“Even 2,000 taxi drivers operate from the airport at Dublin everyday, and every single one of those had no business for that six days” he added.