Ryanair anticipates a denial from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) regarding its request for extra flight slots at Dublin Airport for the winter season, as it tries to push the government into expanding the current annual cap of 32 million passengers at the same airport. The company’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, is set to discuss this issue with James Lawless, Minister of State for Transport, as part of a series of dialogues taking place this week between the Fianna Fáil TD and key parties regarding the cap.
In preparation for this meeting, Ryanair has submitted a draft correspondence to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan. The company believes that if the minister signs and forwards this document to the IAA, it could help resolve the ongoing controversy over the winter passenger cap, while Fingal County Council is still deciding whether to raise it.
The Dublin Airport’s state-owned operator, the DAA, applied for the council’s permission to raise the cap to 40 million as a part of a broader infrastructure strategy in December 2023. The council requested additional information in February and the DAA is now also planning an interim request focused solely on expanding the passenger limit, hoping this will speed up the process.
Mr O’Leary affirmed the immediate necessity for additional slots this winter to keep up with flight demand as the local council deliberates on the decision. Furthermore, Ryanair asserts that the lack of extra winter slots will affect Leinster Rugby’s ability to use chartered Ryanair flights for its European Rugby Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship away games in the ensuing months.
“This is another showcase of the ludicrousness of the Dublin Airport’s 32 million passenger limit and the pressing requirement for Simon Harris, An Taoiseach, and Micheál Martin, An Tánaiste, to abandon this cap as Eamon Ryan, the failing Transport Minister, continues to resist action,” expressed Mr O’Leary. Neither Leinster Rugby nor the IAA has yet commented.
Last week, DAA announced that bound-breaking travel demand would cause the number of passengers to surpass its yearly limit of 32 million people. This development brings the aviation hub operator in contravention of the planning guidelines established by An Bord Pleanála in 2007. Despite their “broad-ranging efforts”, the company admitted this year’s final estimates are expected to reach around 33 million passengers, especially after setting a new record for the busiest month in its 84-year history this August.
Mr Lawless referred to the cap as “out-dated” ahead of discussions with stakeholders on Tuesday. He exemplified the shift in transportation method to the airport, noting that the share of bus users had increased from 15% in 2006 to 35% today, effectively reducing the number of car travellers by millions. Open to suggestions from stakeholders, Mr Lawless expressed his desire to think outside the box to navigate through this present deadlock.