Minister threatens walkout during Dublin airport meeting with Ryanair
- James Lawless and Michael O'Leary met to discuss the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
- O'Leary proposed extending the cap without planning authority approval, which Lawless rejected as legally unworkable.
- The meeting's tension reflects ongoing conflicts over airport capacity and regulatory issues in the aviation sector.
On September 11, a meeting took place at Ryanair headquarters involving James Lawless, the Minister of State for International Transport, and Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ryanair. The discussion centered around the cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, which is currently set at 32 million. O'Leary proposed that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) should extend this cap without needing approval from planning authorities, a suggestion that Lawless deemed legally unworkable. Tensions escalated during the meeting, leading Lawless and his officials to threaten to leave. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between Ryanair and government officials regarding airport capacity and regulatory compliance, reflecting broader issues in the aviation sector as it navigates post-pandemic recovery and operational challenges. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for Ryanair's operations and the future of air travel in Ireland, particularly as the demand for flights continues to rise.