Airlines for America says case could have implications for ‘the overall US – Ireland relationship’
Airlines for America has claimed that the Irish Aviation Authority proposal is a violation of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. United has already stated that it believes the planned cap by the Irish Aviation Authority is unlawful.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has said it will implement the winter cap on takeoff and landing slots in order to ensure that Dublin Airport doesn’t breach an annual 32 million passenger cap that’s imposed on the gateway under a condition attached in 2007 to the construction of Terminal 2.
Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have taken separate legal cases against the IAA in opposition to the plan. The DAA, which operates Dublin Airport, has also taken a case against the IAA, but is instead arguing that the proposed cuts are insufficient to prevent the cap being breached.
The DAA has to be seen to do everything it can to prevent the 32 million passenger cap being breached, even though it wants the cap lifted or raised.
In a statement, Airlines for America confirmed it has joined the legal action against the IAA as a notice party.
“The decision from the IAA to apply a restriction on passenger numbers for operations at Dublin Airport is a violation of the US-EU Open Skies agreement,” it said.
“The filing made today is part of our ongoing effort to urge all governments involved—the Irish government, the European Commission, and the US government—to urgently resolve this matter before irreparable damage is done not only to US airlines, but also to Dublin Airport and the Irish economy,” its added.
“Dublin Airport is a critical transatlantic link and economic gateway between the US and Europe,” according to the lobby group.
In a draft decision issued last month, the IAA also said that it plans to limit the number of available seats to 25.2 million during the summer period at Dublin Airport, which runs from March to October. That will be one million less seats than in summer 2024.
The Irish Aviation Authority oversees capacity allocation at Dublin Airport, with UK-based company Airport Coordination employed to be slot coordinator, deciding what slots airlines get after they apply for them.
Meanwhile, Keith Glatz, SVP of International Affairs, Airlines for America, said the case has potential implications for wider US – Ireland relations.
“It is unfathomable that the Irish government would abandon its treaty obligations to the United States and allow the passenger cap at Dublin to continue. Given the strong and diverse ties between the U.S. and Ireland across business, families and culture – it is mind boggling we even find ourselves in the current situation. Any outcome that results in a reduction of service is not only detrimental to the travellers, shippers and economies of both of our countries, it also has potential implications to the overall US – Ireland relationship,” he said
