Dublin was the most visited international destination for travellers flying from the UK in the first half of 2025, new data shows.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures analysed by travel data firm AirAdvisor show 4.8 million passengers flew from UK airports to Dublin Airport between January and June. Amsterdam was the next-most popular destination with 4.1 million UK travellers.
AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko said the Dublin result reflects longstanding ties between the two countries and routine travel for both leisure and family reasons. "Ireland is an extremely popular destination for UK travellers due to the two countries' historic connections," he said. "It's a busy route for holidaymakers between the nations' major cities and also people visiting family members based either side of the Irish Sea." Radchenko added that city breaks to Amsterdam remain popular while travellers seeking year-round sun often choose destinations such as Dubai and Tenerife.
The analysis ranked other top international destinations for UK travellers during the six-month period: Alicante and Dubai both attracted roughly 3 million passengers; Malaga received about 2.8 million; Tenerife 2.7 million; Barcelona 2.3 million; Faro 2 million; New York 1.8 million; and Doha 1.7 million. Madrid and Arrecife each recorded about 1.6 million UK arrivals, followed by Lisbon with 1.4 million, Istanbul with 1.3 million and Paris with 1.2 million.
The switch to Dublin at the top of the list marks a change from earlier years when Palma de Mallorca and Amsterdam had led. Analysts point to a mix of short-haul leisure travel, family visits and a robust schedule of flights between UK and Irish cities for the shift.
AirAdvisor's review also examined operational performance. So far in 2025 the average delay to flights from UK airports was 12.5 minutes, and 1.15 percent of flights were cancelled within 24 hours of their scheduled departure. That represents an improvement on the same period in 2024, when average delays were 15.5 minutes and 1.33 percent of flights were cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice.
Radchenko said the figures indicate a reduction in disruptions following a demanding post-Covid period for airlines, when demand surged and carriers struggled to match staffing and resources. He also highlighted passenger protections under UK law, noting that "the UK government's UK261 legislation protects passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled and when you are affected by a disrupted journey to or from the UK, you may be entitled to compensation."
The CAA data and AirAdvisor's analysis cover scheduled passenger flows rather than individual holiday bookings, and the numbers reflect movements through airports rather than destination-specific time spent. Travel industry observers say patterns may continue to shift with changing flight schedules, route reopenings and evolving consumer preferences for short breaks versus longer sun-seeking holidays.