Dublin Airport in talks with airlines on staying below 32m passenger ‘cap’ for flights

Dublin Airport has opened talks with airlines over an increase in passenger numbers that is taking it close to the 32m annual cap that previously led to planning complications. State company DAA, which runs the airport, has reported more than 25m passengers in the first nine months of 2023, as travel returns to levels not seen since before the coronavirus shutdown. Such growth has spurred expectation that the passenger cap might be breached before the end of the year, a question that is said to be “live” in aviation circles. The cap was imposed by planners when they approved the airport’s second terminal. At issue is whether a breach spurs any action by objectors or planners, although planners appeared to accept DAA’s explanations after the overall number of passengers exceeded 32m in 2019. Concern about the cap comes as DAA seeks a relaxation of night-flight restrictions after a High Court stay on enforcement action by Fingal County Council. Last month, the DAA sent a 500-page dossier to An Bord Pleanála in a case seeking its approval for new “noise abatement” measures.<br/>