Airlines will be instructed to expand their networks beyond Dublin, according to Minister of State for Transport, James Lawless. He is set to have a discussion with major airline companies next week about the passenger limit of 32 million annually at Dublin Airport, which was initially set as part of the planning permission granted for the second terminal in 2007.
The limit is expected to be exceeded by at least a million passengers this year, as per a warning from airport operator DAA. The proposed solution is to expand the cap to 40 million. Mr Lawless notes the current over-reliance on Dublin Airport and plans to bring this up in future meetings with Ryanair, Aer Lingus, DAA, and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
He pointed out that while there’s no absolute cap on our country’s aviation capacity, Shannon Airport has the capacity to handle an additional five million passengers, and Cork Airport has aims to increase its capacity by eight million passengers.
According to him, airlines could successfully reroute their flights and establish new routes at Shannon, Cork, or other regional airports. He raised the question of why only 4% of airport connections are maintained in the Shannon Airport vicinity where 40% of the population live.
The Minister is keen to understand how Ireland’s connectivity can be maintained and improved, whilst also addressing concerns about noise pollution and congestion around Dublin Airport. He believes residents of Limerick, Tipperary, or Clare shouldn’t have to journey to Dublin for a flight when there’s a perfectly serviceable airport closer to home.
He added that there are currently two planning applications undergoing review, one by DAA to Fingal County Council to expand passenger limit to 40 million, and the other by DAA to An Bord Pleanála for additional night flights from Dublin Airport, which has been under review since 2022. He voiced his hope for a decision soon, given the impact it could have on the broader situation.