Plans to cut the number of seats available on aircraft using Dublin Airport next year are to be stalled.
This follows a High Court decision yesterday that paused the effects of a passenger cap that was due to be applied for the summer 2025 period.
Last week, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and a consortium of several American airlines brought an application over the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA’s) decision to limit passenger numbers to 25.2 million for the March – October 2025 period.
The decision comes just before Slot coordinator ACL was due to announce its allocation of the airport’s summer period slots to airlines.
In a statement, the IAA noted the decision of the high court to grant a stay on the implementation of a seat cap.
“The stay is in relation to the judicial reviews commenced separately by Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Airlines for America,” an IAA spokesperson said.
“The stay was sought by the airlines and was opposed by daa. The IAA took a neutral position on the stay.
“The remainder of the IAA’s Summer 2025 slot parameter decision stands and the coordination to that capacity will happen in the coming days in the normal way.
“The IAA notes that the alleged harm identified by the airlines flows from the planning conditions rather than from the IAA taking account of those conditions.
“The Winter 2024 scheduling season commenced on Sunday 27 October and runs until the end of March 2025. A seat cap of 14.4m remains in place for this period. No party sought a stay on that decision.
“The hearing for the underlying judicial reviews is due to commence on 3 December.”
Dublin Chamber said it welcomed yesterday’s decision in the High Court to lift the summer passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
The decision by the court to pause the cap coming into effect is “a welcome first step in this process that recognises the detrimental effect that this cap has on the Airport,” the group said.
However, Head of Public Affairs Stephen Browne noted:
“This is only a temporary reprieve rather than a permanent solution.
“The right decision was reached in the High Court, but the crux of the issue remains.
“Until the planning matters are fully resolved, the problem will persist.
“Dublin Chamber has been consistent in its position that the cap in its entirety must be lifted to ensure that Dublin and Ireland does not fall behind its European peers and remains an attractive destination for business to invest and tourists to visit.”