DAA permitted to challenge decision it says will lead to Dublin Airport passenger cap breach

Dublin Airport manager DAA has been given leave by the High Court to bring a challenge over a decision it says will result in a breach of the 32m annual passenger cap at the airport. Justice Niamh Hyland granted the DAA permission to bring the challenge against the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) which regulates air safety in this country. The application was made on a one-side only represented (ex parte) basis. The challenge is to a May 7th decision of the IAA relating to the hours of runway and terminal capacity limits at the airport for the next winter season. These “Winter 2024 Coordination Parameters” breach the capacity constraint set by planning permissions for the operation of the airport which say passenger numbers are limited to 32m a year, the DAA says. They may also be in breach of EU regulations, it says. In its application for judicial review of the IAA decision, the DAA seeks an order quashing those winter parameters. Alternatively it seeks the reopening of the May 7th decision or the setting of temporary parameters or other steps which will avoid breaching the planning permissions.<br/>