Dublin: An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved the lifting of overnight flight restrictions at Dublin Airport, rejecting earlier proposals to cap night flights below 36. The new ruling permits an average of 95 aircraft movements nightly and extends operating hours of the north runway from 6am to midnight, easing the prior closure during night hours.
The decision concludes a long-standing dispute involving local residents, environmental activists, airlines, and airport operator DAA. While DAA welcomed the ruling, it emphasised it will not immediately increase night flights and will work to minimise community impact.
Earlier drafts had proposed reducing annual night flights to 13,000—nearly 60% lower than 2023 levels—raising concerns from airlines and business groups over operational disruption.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien endorsed the final decision, noting conditions such as a ban on north runway use between midnight and 6am (except for emergencies) and the rollout of a noise insulation scheme for eligible properties. O’Brien is also reviewing the legal passenger cap on the airport’s operations.
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