The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) assures that Dublin Airport can handle more commercial and private jets, despite a cap on passenger numbers.
US lobby group The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) claimed in a letter to ambassador Claire Cronin that business jets’ ability to use the airport is threatened by DAA plans to limit ad hoc flights to comply with the 32m passenger cap under Bord Pleanála regulations. “In essence, this action by the DAA will result in no business aviation flights being allowed to fly in or out of Dublin Airport until planning is secured to increase passenger capacity,” Ed Bolen, the NBAA president and CEO, said in the letter.
There were 7,800 general aviation movements in 2023, a figure that includes private jets, up from 6,135 in 2019 and 8,808 in 2022.
The DAA is in discussions with airlines and uses a coordination committee to manage capacity and address the issue. A planning application to remove the cap and allow handling of 40m passengers per year has been submitted.
The DAA says the co-ordination of take-off and landing slots at Dublin Airport is carried out using a co-ordination committee that includes AirNav Ireland and is open to all airlines using the facility. “The committee is overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the designated competent authority, and this forum will be used to discuss and decide on any capacity management measures to be applied in 2024. “The current cap is leading to discussions with all aviation customers, including those who operate general aviation and charter flights and DAA will continue to work with the slot co-ordination process to try to achieve the best outcome.”
“DAA agrees with the NBAA that the cap on Dublin Airport has the potential to negatively impact on Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for Foreign Direct Investment, but until planning stipulations change, DAA will work to remain in compliance with the current 32m cap.”
