Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan have engaged in a heated exchange over Dublin Airport’s passenger traffic cap and aviation policy, with O’Leary claiming Ryan’s responses were factually untrue in a series of open letters published this month.
O’Leary criticised the Minister for not taking action to remove the traffic cap despite the airport’s new runway, refuting Ryan’s argument of not intervening in the planning process by pointing to his predictions on the Dublin Metro Link receiving approval.
O’Leary suggested a meeting at their Airside offices to discuss Irish aviation growth, highlighting the absence of a clear Aviation Policy from the Ministers and implying the need for competent leadership, while urging Ryan to consider a plan for the sector’s advancement during his final year as Transport Minister before the next election.
In response, Minister Ryan disagreed with O’Leary’s claims, emphasising his efforts over the past four years to benefit Irish aviation and address airport crises, such as the drone incident at Dublin Airport. Ryan defended his engagements to tackle issues like illegal drones, but clarified that he cannot intervene in the planning process, including extending Dublin Airport’s passenger cap.
