New figures from the Central Statistics Office show a substantial drop in international air travel during the first quarter of 2020 due to restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The CSO noted modest increases in passenger numbers at Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry airports for the months of January and February.
But data for March shows a drop of 57.5% in passenger numbers compared to the same month in 2019 due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Governments around the world advised against all non-essential overseas travel in the middle of March and airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, grounded most of their fleets.