After significant increases in passenger numbers at Dublin Airport in 2011, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is paying €1.5 million in airport charges rebates to 30 airlines.

Passenger numbers jumped 2% to 18.7 million last year, while 30 airlines increased their passenger traffic at the airport.

The DAA is now rewarding these firms under its Growth Incentive Scheme, meaning each of these airlines will now receive a rebate of their charges based on their level of growth.

Airlines receiving rebates include Aer Arann, Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and many more.

DAA’s Director of Strategy, Vincent Harrison said: “This scheme was designed to encourage growth in passenger numbers and we are delighted to be paying a rebate of €1.5 million to the 30 airlines that grew their business from Dublin last year.

“Against a difficult economic background, passenger numbers did increase at Dublin Airport last year. International traffic was up 3% last year, as domestic travel declined, and foreign originating inbound traffic was the best performing sector of the market in 2011.”

The Growth scheme rebates passenger service charges to airlines for traffic growth at any of DAA’s three Irish airports. Once an airline meets the traffic number of the previous year, they start to earn money back based on the overall growth of the airport.