Government to scrap Dublin Airport passenger cap under new laws

Kenneth Fox

The Government is set to scrap the Dublin Airport passenger cap, with new laws set to be approved by Cabinet at a meeting this morning.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien will formally seek Cabinet approval for the new laws on Tuesday, with the expectation being that the legislation will be in place before summer.

As the Irish Examiner reports, the legislation will give the transport minister the power to revoke or amend the existing 32 million passenger cap.

It also precludes the introduction of a future cap on passengers for Dublin Airport.

Government sources said the move to remove the cap is due to the “strategic national importance” of Dublin Airport, adding that it is important to ensure Ireland remains connected to global markets.

Dublin Airport operator DAA has repeatedly called for the cap to be lifted, stating that the number needs to be increased to 40 million per year.

The cap itself was initially introduced in 2007 as a planning condition for the construction of Terminal 2, with concerns being raised about the possible impact on roads in North Dublin.

The Government is also arguing that the removal of the cap will ensure DAA’s infrastructure application can proceed to a decision without delays.

This application includes an expansion to Pier 1, which would increase the aircraft capacity at the airport by six.