EU court upholds 32‑million passenger cap at Dublin Airport
Written by AI from 8 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
The Court of Justice of the EU ruled that the Irish Aviation Authority must factor a 32 million passenger limit into slot allocation at Dublin Airport, while Ryanair urges the government to scrap the restriction.
Court ruling
The Court of Justice of the EU said Ireland’s aviation regulator must limit flights to accommodate 32 million passengers at Dublin Airport. The ruling also stated that historic flight slots do not constitute property rights under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The decision means the Irish Aviation Authority must take the 32 million passenger limit into account when allocating take‑off and landing slots, but it does not affect the authority’s recent addition of 28 new slots for next summer.
Ryanair response
Ryanair called on the Irish government to abolish the passenger cap, describing it as outdated and absurd. The airline’s chief executive said the ECJ ruling highlights the urgent need to remove the 32 million limit.
Traffic figures and future limits
Dublin Airport handled 36.4 million passengers in 2025, exceeding the 32 million cap. The transport minister is expected to order an increase in the passenger limit to 40 million by next April, when slot allocation for winter 2027/28 will be determined.
What's still unclear
Sources differ on the timing of a potential increase to a 40 million passenger limit, with one source citing a 2027 rise and another indicating a change by next April.
Analysed 8 reports from 8 publishers
Used in this story
- aol.com
- thejournal.ie
- irishmirror.ie
- breakingnews.ie
- denbighshirefreepress.co.uk
- northwaleschronicle.co.uk
- dailyrecord.co.uk
- irishtimes.com