Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 passenger airline today (Thurs 15 Oct) called on Micheál Martin’s Govt to finally abolish the outdated Dublin Airport 32m traffic cap (as Dublin heads for 36m in 2026) in response to today’s ECJ Ruling, which allows the Govt to impose capacity restrictions despite having built a 2^nd runway at Dublin Airport.

Today’s ECJ Ruling confirms that Govts have the power to impose artificial traffic restrictions at airports, a Ruling which is absurd in the case of Dublin Airport, which has recently opened a 2^nd runway (paid for by its airlines and passengers), which takes capacity as Dublin Airport to 60m passengers p.a., yet Dublin operates under a 2007 artificial planning restriction of 32m passengers p.a. In 2026, Dublin Airport actual traffic will exceed 36m pax so this outdated 32m cap is absurd. Dublin Airport’s traffic cap of 32m must now be abolished.  

Ryanair called on Micheál Martin’s Govt to finally honour its 2025 Programme for Govt promise to scrap the Dublin Airport cap. Dublin Airport is the aviation gateway for the island of Ireland. With runway capacity of 60m passengers, there is no need for a traffic cap at Dublin Airport. The road network around Dublin is not impacted by air travel growth, and this growth is taking place on new quieter aircraft, which reduces aviation noise over neighbouring properties. Micheál Martin’s Govt has recently passed legislation enabling the Transport Minister to abolish the traffic cap but he still hasn’t done so. Today’s ECJ Ruling highlights the urgent need for this Govt to abolish this 32m cap, and finally honour its promise to do so.

Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary said:

“The time for further dither and delay by Mícheál Martin’s Govt is over. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil got elected on a promise to abolish the Dublin Airport cap, and yet 21 months later, despite passing legislation allowing  the Govt to do so, they still haven’t abolished this stupid and damaging 32m cap. The American airlines are threatening to remove Aer Lingus landing rights in New York if Ireland doesn’t abolish this stupid and self-defeating cap, so it is time to do so.

We, the airlines and our passengers, are paying higher airport fees at Dublin Airport to fund the development of the 2^nd runway and we should be allowed to use it. Dublin Airport and Irish tourism can enter a new age of growth and success, but only when this stupid cap is finally abolished.

Dublin Airport doesn’t need a cap; it has two runways which is sufficient capacity for 60m passengers p.a. We, the airlines and passengers who use Dublin Airport, should be allowed to grow and develop new routes, lower fares, and more choice for Irish consumers and visitors, but this can only happen when Mícheál Martin’s Govt finally honours its promise to abolish Dublin Airport’s damaging and outdated 32m traffic cap.

In 2027, thanks to the IAA’s reduction in Dublin fees, traffic at Dublin Airport will rise to 40m passengers despite the current 32m cap. It is now time to abolish this stupid cap altogether, and allow the airlines to deliver competition, choice, and lower fares for Irish consumers and visitors”.

ENDS