Airlines for America (A4A) said the cap risks “irreparable damage” to US carriers and Ireland’s economy. It believes removing the cap would open new opportunities for businesses and support economic growth here.
The group, whose members include American Airlines, United and Delta, claimed the cap violates an EU-US open skies agreement which allows European and American operators fly between both jurisdictions.
In letters sent to senior figures in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil during government formation talks, A4A senior vice president Keith Glatz said removing the cap would enhance Dublin’s international standing.
A copy of one of the letters, sent to Tánaiste Simon Harris, has been released under a Freedom of Information request.
In the letters, Mr Glatz praised Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael election manifesto commitments to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, and insisted the commitment must be at the forefront of the government’s agenda.
Removing the cap would not only strengthen Dublin Airport’s status as a vital hub for connectivity, but would also unlock new opportunities
The Programme for Government commits to removing the passenger cap.
“Removing the cap would not only strengthen Dublin Airport’s status as a vital hub for connectivity but would also unlock new opportunities for businesses, passengers and the broader economy,” Mr Glatz added.
“This is critical to A4A, as our members have key operations to and from Ireland, as well as long-standing alliance relationships with Irish carriers that serve the world’s most important aviation market — the transatlantic.”
The US airline group joined a legal action against an Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) decision last year to limit the number of passengers who could use Dublin Airport this summer.
This cut was eventually paused after the High Court granted a stay on the IAA capping of take-off and landing slots at the airport to ensure it does not breach planning rules by exceeding an annual 32 million passenger limit. The IAA said it has taken a neutral position on the court order.
This weekend, an A4A spokeswoman said the issue needs to be resolved quickly.
“We have been urging all governments involved — the Irish Government, the European Commission and the US government — to urgently resolve this matter before irreparable damage is done not only to US airlines, but also to Dublin Airport and the Irish economy,” she added.
Airport operator DAA said it agrees with calls to remove the cap, and also called for urgency on the issue because it “may be increasingly seen as a trade barrier between Ireland and the US”.
DAA has applied to Fingal County Council for permission to raise the cap to 36 million passengers per year, but the planning process can be lengthy.
“We need it removed within the next six months and faster planning decisions to add new terminal capacity. If we remain in the current planning process, it will take years. Every solution should be considered to unblock this impasse and protect connectivity, tourism, and jobs,” DAA’s spokesman said.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said he supports the development of Dublin Airport and has started a process to meet with stakeholders to try and resolve the issue.
“It is very important for the region and the country in terms of jobs and economic growth but it needs to develop in a sustainable way that considers the local community,” Mr O’Brien said.