Irish High Court Stays Capacity Cap at Dublin Airport
The Irish High Court has temporarily stayed the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) decision to cap capacity at Dublin Airport (DUB) at 25.2 million seats for the summer 2025 schedule. This cap is set at 1 million seats below the previous summer’s passenger traffic levels. The IAA acknowledged that the restriction would limit airlines’ access to the airport and predicted that demand for slots during the summer 2025 scheduling season would “significantly exceed” this cap.
The cap is intended to keep DUB below an annual limit of 32 million seats, a figure established in 2007 to alleviate road congestion around the airport. Since then, DUB has added a second runway, increasing its potential capacity.
Despite the cap, forecasts indicate that the limit may be breached this year. The summer slot restrictions, which will be in effect from April to October 2025, are designed to ensure the airport meets the 32 million target next year.
The High Court’s ruling follows legal challenges to the cap from Ryanair and Aer Lingus, supported by U.S. airlines aiming to maintain transatlantic connectivity to Dublin. The court highlighted the potential adverse effects on the Irish economy, necessitating the stay until the matter is resolved in Irish and European Union courts.
Airlines for America (A4A), representing major U.S. airlines, criticized the cap as a violation of the U.S.-EU open skies agreement. Daa, which operates DUB, warned that the cap would negatively impact tourism revenue.
A4A Chief Economist John Heimlich expressed concerns about the cap, stating, “We don’t want an artificial restriction on the marketplace, especially one based on outdated studies of road traffic that do not reflect current infrastructure.”
Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, welcomed the court’s decision, expressing disappointment that airlines had to resort to legal action against the cap, which he described as “idiotic.” He urged Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to overrule the IAA and allow the airport to exceed the 32 million annual passenger cap.
Conor McCarthy, founder and executive chairman of Emerald Airlines, criticized the 32 million cap as “totally nuts.” Daa has advocated for an increase to the annual cap, proposing a target of 40 million seats, arguing that the existing limit stifles demand and adversely affects airlines, airport employees, travelers, tourism, and jobs in the region.
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