The Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, has criticised the cap of 32 million passengers per year at Dublin airport as false, arguing that the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) construction of a second runway can expand the airports annual passenger volume to 60 million. O’Leary made these comments during a press briefing following Ryanair’s annual general meeting in Dublin, which took place a day after his meeting with James Lawless, Minister of State of the Transport Department, over the passenger cap issue.
According to DAA, the limit will be surpassed this year, resulting in reduced slot availability for airlines at Dublin Airport in the coming winter. “We’ve already surpassed the limit, with 33 million passengers this year. So, the real question now is: does anyone truly believe that Fingal County Council will maintain this restriction after the current planning process concludes? I don’t think so. So, what are we to do in the next couple of years?” questioned O’Leary.
He further affirmed that due to the shortage of slots this winter, passengers may have to resort to other transportation methods, including boats, during the Christmas season. To prevent this potential upheaval, the airline has asked the minister to instruct the Irish Aviation Authority to provide additional slots.
In 2007, An Bord Pleanála established the cap due to concerns about automobile traffic to and from Dublin airport. However, O’Leary maintains this issue has been resolved with an increasing number of passengers utilising public transport for airport commuting.
“A capable politician would publicly acknowledge that this problem no longer exists”, he said, pointedly referring to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan. “We wouldn’t be having this absurd discussion or dispute about a completely false cap that is limiting Dublin Airport’s growth and stopping us, along with other airlines, from adding the extra 250,000 seats we typically have every Christmas.”
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