Dublin Airport is set to maintain its number of passenger seats next summer following a High Court ruling that granted a stay on the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) decision to cap take-off and landing slots during the peak travel season. This decision comes as a relief to airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, which had expressed significant concerns over potential revenue losses due to the restrictions.
The IAA’s ruling, issued last month, aimed to limit the number of seats available on aircraft to 25.2 million, approximately one million fewer than the previous summer’s capacity. This limit was implemented to ensure that Dublin Airport adheres to a long-standing cap of 32 million annual passengers, established in 2007 as a condition for planning permission for the second terminal.
In their application for a stay, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and Airlines For America (A4A)—representing various US airlines—argued that the cap would have severe financial repercussions. During Friday’s hearing, Aer Lingus highlighted that the restrictions could lead to a loss of 362,000 seats and €84 million in revenue for the upcoming year, with potential losses increasing to €130 million in subsequent years. Ryanair claimed it would lose 550,000 seats and €50 million annually if the slot restrictions remained in place, complicating its operations at both Dublin and international destinations.
A4A further emphasized the negative impact on its members, asserting that the restrictions not only threatened financial losses but also risked reputational damage and violated the EU-US Open Skies Agreement.
Conversely, the daa (Dublin Airport Authority) supported the IAA’s passenger seat cap, arguing that a stay would breach the binding planning restrictions in place at the airport.
In his ruling, Mr. Justice O’Donnell acknowledged the seriousness of the case and concluded that airlines would suffer irreparable harm if the stay was not granted. He ruled in favor of the airlines, stating that the potential consequences of breaching planning conditions did not outweigh the severe adverse effects on the airlines and the public. He emphasized that not granting the stay could lead to significant disruption and negative impacts on the broader economy.
The stay will remain in effect pending further court orders or the resolution of ongoing judicial review proceedings. This decision comes just days before Airports Coordination Ltd is set to announce summer slot allocations, providing crucial clarity for airlines and travelers alike.
Mr. Justice O’Donnell’s written ruling noted that the immediate consequences of failing to grant the stay extended beyond the airlines, affecting the public and the economy at large. As Dublin Airport prepares for a busy summer travel season, this ruling ensures that passenger capacity remains intact, allowing airlines to meet demand without the constraints of the IAA’s restrictions.