Ryanair is urging passengers to book their Christmas flights to and from Dublin early this year. Air fares, especially from London, are rising rapidly due to Dublin Airport’s 32 million passenger cap.
Dublin Airport recently opened a second runway, theoretically increasing its capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually. However, Ryanair says that the airport remains constrained by an outdated traffic cap imposed in 2007. This restriction was put in place 17 years ago due to concerns about potential road congestion when Dublin reached 32 million passengers.
In a statement this week, the budget airline said that these congestion issues haven’t materialized, even as traffic has exceeded the 32 million mark.
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Criticism Over Dublin Airport Cap
Ireland’s Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has faced criticism for not acting to remove this cap, even on a temporary basis. The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is currently applying to Fingal County Council to abolish the restriction.
Notably, the same council ignored this cap when approving the construction of the second runway in 2015, in spite of the fact that it would increase capacity well beyond the 32 million limit.
The repercussions of this cap are significant, according to the airline. Ryanair states that it has been prevented from offering its traditional 270,000 extra seats to and from Dublin this year.
Instead, the airline is adding 50,000 seats from London to Belfast, forcing many Dublin-bound passengers to take an indirect route via Belfast this Christmas. This workaround highlights the unintended consequences of the outdated passenger cap.
Other airlines serving Dublin are also constrained, leading to a overall reduction in flight options and increased competition for available seats. This scarcity is driving up prices across all carriers, potentially making travel prohibitively expensive for some passengers.
Ryanair CEO Comments
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO, has been typically vocal about the situation. He advises passengers planning to fly home to Dublin for Christmas to book early. The outspoken CEO warns that cheap seats are selling out quickly.
O’Leary points out that even in late August, their lowest fares from London to Dublin for the peak pre-Christmas period (December 20-22) are approaching €100 one-way. He attributes this directly to the government’s failure to allow extra flights.
O’Leary also highlights the irony of Dublin’s current situation. He points out the Irish city is now ranked as the world’s second most congested for road traffic. However, its airport has a new runway it can’t fully utilize due to an outdated cap originally imposed to prevent road congestion. This paradox underscores the need for a reassessment of the airport’s operational limits, says O’Leary.
Looking ahead, Ryanair predicts that one-way fares to Dublin will rise this Christmas. According to the airline, they could reach as high as €500 as available seats become scarce. This potential price spike is a direct result of the limited capacity and increasing demand.
Summary
The situation at Dublin Airport highlights a general need for infrastructure planning and regulatory adaptability. As cities grow and travel patterns evolve, it’s crucial for regulations to keep pace appropraitely.
Ryanair’s case is that Dublin Airport illustrates the potential negative impacts of outdated restrictions on both travelers and the broader economy. In light of these circumstances, the carrier has advised passengers planning to visit family in Dublin at Christmas to book their travel as early as possible.
This proactive approach may help travelers avoid the record-high air fares expected due to the continued traffic cap. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether regulatory changes will be implemented in time to alleviate the pressure on Christmas travelers this year.
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