High Court Stays Dublin Airport Passenger Cap for 2025
Ireland’s Aer Lingus and Ryanair have expressed their approval of a recent ruling from the High Court, which has temporarily suspended the implementation of a 25.5 million passenger cap at Dublin International Airport for the summer season of 2025. This stay will remain in effect until the completion of a judicial review concerning the matter.
Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, welcomed the court’s decision, stating it paves the way for the issue to be escalated to the European Union courts. In a statement, the airline emphasized that the proposed cap violates EU laws regarding freedom of movement, a point it intends to contest vigorously.
Aer Lingus has also acknowledged the stay, indicating it will evaluate the potential repercussions of this ruling, particularly concerning decisions made by the slot coordinator for Dublin Airport. The airline stressed that the implementation of the cap could significantly affect its operations and strategic planning.
The urgency of the situation stemmed from a restriction imposed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which would have been enforced from late March to October 2025. The IAA justified the cap by referencing a 2007 planning condition aimed at maintaining an annual passenger limit of 32 million to address capacity issues at the airport.
In their High Court application, Aer Lingus warned that the passenger cap could lead to a revenue loss of up to EUR 84 million (USD 90 million), a figure projected to rise annually. Ryanair, too, raised concerns, estimating a potential loss of EUR 50 million (USD 53 million), according to The Journal.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Junior Minister James Lawless issued a joint statement emphasizing that the court’s ruling provides necessary clarity and opens the door for further discussions aimed at balancing planning requirements with the need for air connectivity in Ireland.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com