Dublin Airport has described as discouraging a decision by the aviation regulator to question the appropriateness of some of its planned charges for passengers using its facilities.
Daa also said it was disappointing that Ryanair had challenged what it claimed was its efforts to promote more environmentally friendly aircraft at the airport.
Its comments follow a final decision by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirming an earlier draft ruling seeking to have Dublin Airport re-examine its proposed passenger charges.
But the regulator said that while in its draft decision it had proposed to have Dublin Airport re-assess the charges in advance of the winter 2024-2025 season, daa could review the charges as part of the annual consultation process to take effect in time for the summer 2025 season.
The IAA said it would keep the matter under review over the coming months to assess whether appropriate steps are being taken in that regard.
The proposed charges were first set out by daa in September of last year.
Following a consultation process Ryanair lodged a complaint with the IAA in December alleging that Dublin Airport had not fully complied with regulations in setting the revised charges.
The IAA subsequently found that some of the complaints were not relevant, but that there was merit in others, including those connected to a discount scheme for low emissions aircraft and nitrogen oxide charges.
The regulator said it agreed with Ryanair that further assessment in relation to these charges was required, if they were to meet standards of transparency, objectivity and relevance set out in the directive.
Dublin Airport said it had conducted the 2024 annual charges review in compliance with regulations and there hadn’t been complaints from other airport users.
“These annual charges to airlines undergo thorough regulatory scrutiny every year,” daa said.
“It is disappointing that Ryanair has challenged our efforts to promote a quieter, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient fleet at Dublin Airport through the proposed charges, which support our sustainability goals and ambitions.”
“It is also discouraging that the IAA has questioned the appropriateness of environmental charges and the Dublin Airport Low Emissions Aircraft Discount incentive, which we introduced as a catalyst for lower noise and CO₂ emissions.”
