Fury grows over Dublin Airport noise as complaints soar

Noise complaints linked to Dublin Airport have soared in 2024, with new figures showing an 80% rise among local residents.

Communities in Swords, Portmarnock, Malahide, and Ashbourne are now accusing Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) of causing “serious disruption” to daily life, amid growing anger over flight path changes and alleged breaches of planning rules.

Councillor James Humphreys said communities are being “badly let down” by the airport’s management and response to the issue.

“This reflects widespread, serious disruption to daily life across our towns and villages,” he said.

“Labelling residents as ‘serial complainers’ is a deeply disrespectful attempt to discredit the legitimate concerns of those affected.

“Persistent reporting of noise disturbance is internationally recognised as a marker of chronic environmental harm, not something to be dismissed or belittled.”

Humphreys also hit out at DAA’s claims that fewer people are now impacted by aircraft noise since the opening of the North Runway.

“This assertion is simply not credible,” he said.

“Residents’ lived experiences tell a very different story — communities that previously had little to no aircraft noise are now enduring regular, intrusive disturbance.”

Serious concerns are also being raised over whether Dublin Airport is in compliance with the original planning permission for the North Runway.

The Environmental Impact Statement underpinning the project included specific flight paths and noise contour maps.

However, Cllr Humphreys pointed out that the current flight paths in use differ “materially” from those originally presented.

“These operational changes have been introduced without a fresh planning application or updated environmental assessment,” he said.

“Residents have been exposed to significant new noise impacts without the protections they were promised.”

While the DAA has asserted that 95% of aircraft remain within designated flight paths, Humphreys said that argument misses the point — because the legality of the flight paths themselves is currently under active legal challenge.

“Until that dispute is resolved, reassurances based on current operations cannot be relied upon,” he added.

“Residents are entitled to expect full compliance with planning conditions, not just procedural box-ticking.”

The growing concentration of flight paths, combined with an overall increase in airport traffic, is adding to the sense of frustration among those affected.

Cllr Humphreys acknowledged that modern aircraft are quieter but said the sheer volume and frequency of flights means that many residents are being subjected to “constant, cumulative noise exposure” throughout the day and into sensitive early morning hours.

He criticised the DAA’s overall handling of the issue, accusing the authority of “minimising the problem, dismissing complaints and obscuring operational changes.”

“This is not acceptable,” he said.

“Residents deserve full transparency, full compliance with planning conditions, and real noise mitigation measures — not deflection and denial.”

“It’s time for Dublin Airport Authority to respect the people living under its flight paths and take meaningful action to reduce the serious noise impacts on our communities.”