A limit on passenger seats available on aircraft using Dublin Airport will not into effect, following a recent High Court ruling placing a stay on the decision.
Yesterday’s High Court ruling stays the proposed Dublin Airport cap. It now prevents the IAA imposing slot restrictions for Summer 2025, until EU courts have ruled on the matter.
High Court Ruling Welcomed by Airlines
The decision has now been welcomed by airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Airlines for America (A4A), who represent a number of US airlines, had also sought a suspension of the IAA decision, pending a judicial review.
The High Court had previously granted the airlines permission to enter a judicial review of the slot restrictions decision. The review hearing has not yet taken place.
Ryanair welcomed the High Court ruling on the Dublin Airport, saying it believed the Is in breach of EU legislation on Freedom of Movement.
The major low-cost carrier remains confident that EU law will triumph the 2007 Fingal planning restriction and will allow airlines to grow traffic and tourism.
Ryanair CEO Comments
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary criticized how airlines had to resort to legal action over Dublin Airport’s capacity cap. He blamed Transport Minister Eamon Ryan for not providing necessary documentation to the IAA.
O’Learly argued that the cap violates EU regulations. He suggested that competent leadership from both the Transport Minister and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin would have already eliminated it.
He noted that the High Court’s decision now allows the matter to proceed to European Courts. Here, O’Leary remains optimistic that the 2007 traffic restriction will be overturned.
This would allow airlines, including Ryanair, to expand their operations in Ireland. This is something he claims has been hindered by the Green Party ministers’ inaction over the past five years.
O’Leary concluded by stating his hope that the upcoming election would remove the Green Party from oversight of Irish tourism and aviation. This, he says, will allow Ryanair to resume growth at Dublin Airport. It will prevent the airline directing expansion to alternative locations like Belfast, Italy, and Poland.
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