High Court Pauses Dublin Airport Passenger Cap Amid Controversy
- The High Court has paused a cap on passenger flights at Dublin Airport, originally set by the Irish Aviation Authority.
- The cap aimed to restrict the number of passenger seats to 25.2 million for the summer season, raising concerns among airlines.
- The ruling signals potential economic implications and operational disruptions as the summer flight slots are being allocated.
A High Court ruling has paused a previously imposed cap on the number of flights at Dublin Airport for the upcoming summer season. The Irish Aviation Authority had set a limit of 25.2 million passenger seats from late March to October, citing the need to adhere to an overall annual passenger cap of 32 million established in 2007 when granting planning permission for Terminal Two. This decision faced legal action from Aer Lingus, Ryanair, and several American airlines who argued that the cap would severely impact their operations and lead to a loss of valuable take-off and landing slots. The situation amplified as Ryanair indicated that some Leinster Rugby matches may require travel from Belfast as a consequence of these restrictions. The court's consideration highlighted the serious disruption that would ensue for both the airlines and the public, as well as potential negative impacts on the broader economy. A related judicial review concerning a winter cap of 14.4 million seats will be heard in December, revealing ongoing tensions surrounding air travel operations at the airport.