Dublin: Irish authorities have imposed a cap on the number of summer travellers passing through Dublin Airport, setting a limit of 25.2 million passengers for the upcoming season, despite strong opposition from major airlines like Aer Lingus and Ryanair. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed the decision, disregarding repeated requests from airlines to lift such restrictions. The carriers had warned that these limits would lead to reduced flight routes and higher ticket prices during the peak summer travel period.
This is the first year that such caps have been introduced, with the IAA previously capping winter seat capacity at 14.4 million. Combined, Dublin Airport will accommodate a total of 39.6 million seats across both the winter and summer seasons in 2024. Aer Lingus, one of the major airlines affected, has already taken legal action against the IAA’s earlier decision regarding the winter capacity limit, and a court hearing is scheduled for December.
The restrictions on summer passenger numbers come as Dublin Airport’s application to Fingal County Council to increase its annual passenger capacity to 40 million remains pending. The IAA stated that the summer cap was introduced in accordance with conditions set by An Bord Pleanála, Ireland’s planning authority, and any adjustments would require approval from Fingal County Council.
Airlines and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have exerted significant pressure on the Irish government to remove these limits, but the government has made it clear that legal constraints prevent any changes at this time. The DAA, in response, has sought a judicial review of the IAA’s winter slot decision in an attempt to prevent Dublin Airport from exceeding 32 million passengers in 2024.
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of the DAA, acknowledged that the IAA’s decision aligns with planning regulations for 2025, but he warned of severe economic consequences. He estimated that the Irish economy could lose at least €500 million, potentially rising to €700 million when factoring in lost airfares. Jacobs also expressed concerns about the significant impact on airlines, airport staff, passengers, and the broader tourism industry, calling it a “national problem.”
Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have voiced strong criticism of the decision. Ryanair’s Group CEO, Michael O’Leary, condemned the move as illegal and accused the transport and tourism ministers of failing to take action. O’Leary claimed the restrictions violated the EU’s right to freedom of movement and breached the EU-US Open Skies Agreement, labelling the regulations as outdated and likely to be overturned by European courts.
Aer Lingus also strongly opposed the DAA’s approach to the 2025 summer capacity limits, stating that the airline could not accept the decision and would seek a court ruling to overturn it.
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