Dublin Airport Set to Breach Passenger Cap Limit This Year
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Loading... - Jasper Cobus
- 04 Dec 2024
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Dublin Airport is on track to exceed its passenger cap limit this year, with November figures showing a 3% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same month last year. Cork Airport also reported a 5% rise, marking November as the busiest ever for both airports, with nearly 2.5 million passengers traveling through their terminals.
According to airport operator daa, Dublin Airport recorded almost 2.3 million passengers in November, making it the busiest November in its 84-year history. The peak day for the month was November 1, when 100,000 passengers passed through the airport's two terminals. So far in 2024, Dublin Airport has welcomed approximately 30.97 million passengers, reflecting a 5% increase from the same period in 2023.
Despite the surge in passenger numbers, daa has been taking measures to manage airline demand in order to comply with the 32 million passenger cap imposed on Dublin Airport. The operator has indicated that, based on forecasts for December, passenger numbers are expected to exceed the cap, potentially reaching over 33 million for the entire year.
To address this issue, daa has requested the High Court to review the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) allocation of slots for the winter 2024/25 season. The hearing regarding this matter, along with the summer slots decision, commenced today.
Daa has expressed optimism regarding the commitment from the three main political parties in their pre-election manifestos to prioritize lifting the passenger cap. The airport operator is actively progressing its planning application to increase the cap to 40 million passengers annually.
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, emphasized the need to resolve the cap issue, stating that growth at Dublin Airport has been subdued due to the constraints. He noted that airlines are holding back on routes and additional services because of the cap, which has significant implications for jobs, the economy, tourism, and connectivity.
Cork Airport also experienced growth, with 201,000 passengers in November, a 5% increase from the previous year. The airport is set to become even busier with the introduction of new routes and additional services, including a summer 2025 service operated by TUI between Cork and Dalaman, Turkey, and a more frequent Air France schedule between Cork and Paris. Additional flights to Bristol and Edinburgh have also been announced for the Six Nations rugby in early 2025, catering to demand that Dublin Airport cannot accommodate due to the cap.
As Dublin Airport approaches its passenger cap limit, the need for a resolution to this issue becomes increasingly urgent. Daa is committed to finding solutions that will allow for growth and improved connectivity while addressing the constraints currently faced by Ireland’s main gateway. The ongoing discussions and planning efforts aim to lift the cap and enhance the airport's infrastructure, ensuring that it can meet the demands of travelers and support the economy effectively.
