Aer Lingus & Ryanair Hit Out At Dublin Airport Passenger Cap

Irish carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair are criticizing the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) for its delay in submitting an application to raise the passenger capacity limit at Dublin Airport (DUB). Authorities, however, have cited financial hardship in 2008 and the pandemic as their reasoning for the delay.

Aer Lingus claims DUB’s current limit presents a “significant national economic risk,” while Ryanair slammed Ireland’s Transport Minister, calling him “useless.” With air travel demand spiking in the last few years, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) reportedly said that passenger numbers are expected to reach 40 million in the next six years.

It should have happened earlier

Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair operate hubs at DUB. According to The Irish Times, Aer Lingus has been pushing the airport to increase the passenger cap from 32 million to 40 million for the past couple of years. The carrier’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Niall Timlin, said the airport has been “aware” of the influx of passengers.

“Dublin Airport has been fully aware for many years of the growth plans of airlines based at Dublin … This specific planning application could have and should have been made and dealt with much earlier.”

Photo: Aer Lingus

The DAA submitted the bid in its infrastructure application to expand the capacity limit in December. Timlin reportedly said the move was “significantly delayed” despite receiving initial approval and funding in 2019. The airline has since requested that the Fingal County Council grant an immediate increase in the interim at DUB, pending a decision on the application, according to The Irish Times.

Timlin reportedly said that the current passenger cap of 32 million “is no longer fit for purpose” and poses “a significant national economic risk.”

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According to the IBEC, passenger numbers at DUB are expected to reach 40 million by 2030. The business representative group reiterated Timlin’s claims, saying the airport will not be able to handle the number of travelers “unless Fingal County Council increases the current cap.

An “incompetent” leader

Ryanair blatantly called the current passenger limit “idiotic” as it threatens Ireland’s tourism industry.

“Unless this idiotic passenger cap is lifted, then all growth and new flights will bypass Dublin, and instead go to London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Ireland’s tourism industry depends on modest growth for its survival.”

Photo: Ryanair

The airline is blaming Eamon Ryan, the country’s Transport Minister, as he is reportedly at the center of the growth block at DUB. Last week, the carrier highlighted how Ryan “failed” to address aviation issues at DUB, such as long security queues in 2022 and drones closing the airport last year. The airport also opened a second runway last year, which raises DUB’s capacity to 50 million, according to Ryanair.

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Michael O’Leary, the carrier’s CEO, called for Ryan’s resignation.

“Eamon Ryan is an incompetent Transport Minister. After 4 years in office, Dublin is now the 2nd most congested city in Europe, and now Dublin Airport is Europe’s only capital city airport which has an artificial planning ban on any growth despite opening a 2nd runway less than 12 months ago. Ireland’s aviation industry and the future of Irish tourism cannot be left in the hands of an incompetent and useless Green Minister. He should immediately instruct Fingal County Council and An Bord Pleanála to abandon this idiotic 32m passenger cap at Dublin Airport, he should resign and let someone competent develop Irish air transport.”

Addressing the current restrictions

The DAA said it plans to tackle DUB’s capacity restrictions but said the 2008 recession, the pandemic, and “technical and planning” issues were some of the factors in its delay in submitting the IA.

“Firstly, by the fallout from the 2008 global financial crisis and the resultant recession. Secondly, by the catastrophic impact on global aviation and traffic at Dublin Airport resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” a spokesperson said. “We could have potentially lodged the application sooner, but the IA and the North Runway Relevant Action Application could not run in parallel for a number of technical and planning related reasons which were outside DAA’s control.”