The number of passengers arriving into Ireland on overseas routes increased by 12 per cent in March, new figures show.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released its air and sea travel statistics.
It shows that in March, 61,400 passengers arrived in Ireland, an increase of 12 per cent compared to February, which was 54,800 passengers.
The statistics show that continental routes contributed most to the passenger traffic.
Some 34,800 passengers arrived on continental routes and 36,600 passengers departed on continental routes.
By way of contrast, 17,500 passengers arrived on cross-channel routes and 20,400 passengers departed on cross-channel routes.
Just 2,800 passengers arrived on transatlantic routes and 2,700 passengers departed on these routes.
Apart from Britain, which accounted for all cross-channel routes, other routes included Spain at 5,900 arrivals and 5,800 departures, the Netherlands at 5,200 arrivals and 5,800 departures and France with 5,100 arrivals and 5,300 departures.
From the beginning of the year, a total of 224,200 overseas passengers arrived in Ireland and 238,400 overseas passengers left the Republic.
This compares to approximately 3 million arrivals and 3 million departures in the same period in 2020.
Gregg Patrick, statistician, said: “This illustrates the ongoing dramatic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on international travel to and from Ireland.”