Ryanair, Ireland’s major low-cost airline, has called on the incoming Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government to eliminate the Dublin Airport traffic cap when they assume power in January 2025.
The airline reports unprecedented one-way fares of £500 on multiple London-Dublin flights during the holiday period, affecting ten flights between December 20-24, 2024.
Renewed Call to End Dublin Travel Cap
Ryanair says that the extreme fares could have been avoided if aviation authorities had approved additional flight slots requested by airlines in September. The proposed expansion would have created 200,000 extra seats for Dublin’s Christmas travelers.
The current situation has forced over 20,000 Dublin-bound passengers to reroute through Belfast this Christmas. This, says the low-cost carrier, is a direct consequence of former Green Party Transport Minister Eamon Ryan’s decision to maintain the traffic cap.
The Dublin Airport Cap
Dublin Airport has a yearly passenger cap of 32 million. This limit was set as part of the planning conditions for Terminal 2. The cap aims to manage the airport’s environmental impacts, such as noise and traffic, on nearby areas.
In addition to the yearly cap, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has set a winter seat limit of 14.4 million passengers from October 27, 2024, to March 29, 2025.
This limit is to ensure that Dublin Airport stays within its overall 32 million passenger cap for the year. The winter seat limit affects flight availability and seat capacity, impacting airline operations during the quieter winter season.
O’Leary Optimistic About Incoming Government
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s CEO, addressed the latest situation. “While we deeply regret these excessive fares, they were unavoidable for the remaining seats after the former Transport Minister declined to authorize additional capacity at Dublin Airport.”
“The Christmas period consistently sees high demand for Dublin-bound travel, and airlines must have the flexibility to accommodate this increased traffic.”
O’Leary expressed optimism about the incoming government, noting both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s manifesto commitments to remove the airport cap.
“Ryanair guarantees that with the cap’s removal, we won’t see £500 fares next Christmas. The ability to add 200,000 extra seats during peak demand periods is crucial for maintaining reasonable fares for Irish travelers returning home.”
“These unprecedented fares demonstrate why the new government must urgently eliminate the Dublin Airport cap. This would allow airlines to fully utilize both runways, adding capacity for major events like Rugby Internationals, Cheltenham, bank holidays, and Christmas.”
“With the Green Party’s departure from government, it’s time for this restrictive cap to go as well,” he concluded.
Dublin Airport: A Hub for Irish and European Travel
Dublin Airport (DUB) is the busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland and a major hub for air travel in Europe. Located just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) north of Dublin city center, it serves as the main gateway to Ireland, handling both domestic and international flights.
The current passenger cap has led to challenges for airlines and passengers, particularly during peak travel seasons. The proposed increase in the cap aims to address these issues and facilitate future growth.
