Airport Operator Warned as 32M Annual Limit Exceeded

Fingal County Council has issued an enforcement notice to Dublin Airport operator DAA for exceeding its 32 million annual passenger cap—despite the High Court suspending the limit pending legal challenges.

Key Developments

 Passenger cap breached – 33.3M travelers passed through in 2023 (vs. 32M limit).

 Enforcement notice issued – DAA given two years to comply or secure approval for higher limits.

 High Court suspension – The cap is currently unenforced due to ongoing legal challenges by Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and Airlines for America.

 DAA seeks expansion – Applied to increase cap to 36M and 40M passengers, but decision delayed.

Why Is There a Passenger Cap?

The 32 million limit was imposed in 2007 when An Bord Pleanála approved Terminal 2, aiming to prevent road congestion. Since then, infrastructure upgrades have been made, but the cap remains.

DAA’s Response: “A Planning System Mess”

A DAA spokesman called the enforcement notice a “sorry indictment” of Ireland’s “broken” planning system, stating:

“Passenger numbers will exceed 36M this year and reach 40M by 2030. This enforcement notice highlights why we need urgent legislative reform.”