Airlines consider legal challenge to 14.4m winter passenger cap at Dublin Airport

Regulators face possible legal challenge over a decision to limit airlines using Dublin Airport to 14.4m passengers this winter to ensure the airport does not breach a controversial cap on numbers. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed on Tuesday that it would limit airlines operating at the airport to a maximum of 14.4m seats between October 27th next and March 29th, 2025, the winter travel season. The move is meant to assist Dublin Airport’s operator, State company DAA, in complying with a 32m passengers a year cap imposed by planners as condition of opening an extra runway in 2022. Documents published with the decision on Tuesday show that the airport’s biggest airline, Ryanair, could go to court if the IAA decision costs it historic rights to take-off and landing slots at the airport. Aer Lingus, its owner International Airlines’ Group (IAG), and British Airways also all questioned whether the IAA could legally limit their capacity to ensure that DAA complies with a planning condition. Ryanair’s response states that any “unlawful implementation” of conditions that result in the carrier losing slots “will give rise to a requirement to vindicate our rights up to and including court action”. The airline dubbed the IAA proposal an “unlawful interference” with airlines’ historic rights to arrival and departure slots at Dublin Airport, in a response to the authority’s initial proposal last month. Aer Lingus argues that the regulator is effectively trying to limit passenger throughput at Dublin “which it has no jurisdiction to do”. The carrier said on Tuesday that it would review the decision in detail and consider its response.<br/>