Leinster Rugby will fly from Belfast for at least three away matches this winter as the controversial capacity cap has blocked their flights from Dublin.
The switch to Aldergrove airport, 177km from the capital, was on Monday described as ‘crazy’ by the Dublin’s Lord Mayor, James Geoghegan.
Ryanair, which has been flying the Leinster squad to matches for 20 years, confirmed it will switch the team’s away match flights from Dublin to Belfast International Airport because the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has blocked slots for the extra rugby flights.
The airline said Transport Minister Eamon Ryan could have instructed the IAA to allow slots for these Leinster Rugby flights, ‘but has yet again failed to do so’.
A spokesman added: ‘As a result, the Leinster Rugby Team will now be forced to divert to Belfast to catch flights for their away matches in Bristol, Cardiff and La Rochelle.
‘Ryanair calls again on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Green Tourism Minister Catherine Martin to take action and issue a direction letter to the IAA to authorise slots for regular winter extra flights, such as those taken by the Leinster Rugby Team and their supporters and also the Christmas Lapland flights, which take hundreds of Irish families from Dublin to Lapland in the three weeks prior to Christmas.’
Leinster fan Mr Geoghegan, who will not be attending the away matches, said: ‘I think it’s crazy. It just shows the real damage this is having on one of our most important sports brands in the country that they have to go from Dublin to Belfast just to go to away games because of a cap that could be changed.’
Former Leinster second row and Dublin Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan said: ‘It is extremely embarrassing that the Leinster Rugby team cannot fly out of Dublin but must fly from Belfast to fulfil their European Championship away fixtures. I have contacted the Minister for Transport about this issue and want him to use his powers to ensure that extra slots are available at Dublin airport.’
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said: ‘The Irish transport minister has the power to issue a Letter of Direction to the Irish Aviation Authority, telling them to allow these regular winter extras for Leinster Rugby flights, for Santa flights to Lapland at Christmas, and hundreds of Christmas extras to/from Dublin, which enable thousands of Irish families to reunite over the Christmas holidays. It is unacceptable that Ireland’s transport minister won’t exercise his legal power to approve these extra flights.’
Under Section 10 of the Aviation Act 2001, the transport minister has the legal power to issue a direction to the IAA to allow extra slots.
The cap limits passenger numbers at the airport to 32million a year. It was introduced in 2007 as part of planning permission for Terminal 2. It limits the number who can use the airport annually, due to concerns over local road capacity at the time.
A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: ‘[Junior transport]minister [James] Lawless has spoken with Leinster Rugby over the weekend on this and is keen to assist, if possible.
‘He is seeking advice as to what avenues may exist to facilitate national teams and similar special events while the legacy planning cap on passenger numbers at the airport remains in place.’
He added: ‘In taking into account the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, the IAA has set a passenger seat limit at the airport for the Winter ’24 season and proposed one for the Summer ’25 season.
‘Essentially, this means that the availability of slots for ad hoc flights which can include charter flights for events including sporting events will be limited until such time that the passenger cap is lifted at the airport through the planning process.
‘Minister Lawless is currently meeting a range of stakeholders regarding the passenger cap at Dublin Airport and issues arising. Minister Ryan has previously met with stakeholders. Both are keenly aware of the concerns of all stakeholders.
‘However, neither minister can intervene in an independent planning process. To intervene would be to contravene the independence of our planning process and legislation, which would have significant knock-on effects on Ireland’s regulatory reputation.’
Away Games Affected By The Flights Switch
Ryanair has said the Leinster Rugby team will have to fly from Belfast for three upcoming away fixtures. The affected games are:
Bristol Bears v Leinster, Sunday, December 8 in the Investec Champions Cup, Ashton Gate, Bristol
La Rochelle v Leinster, Sunday, January 12, Investec Champions Cup, Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle
Ospreys vs Leinster, Friday, February 14, United Rugby Championship, Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea
