The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has reversed a draft decision that would have required Dublin Airport to reevaluate its charges for users for the upcoming winter season.
Dublin Airport, managed by the DAA, announced its proposed charges for the March 2024 to March 2025 period, which aligned with the maximum permitted charge previously set by the IAA.
Ryanair lodged a formal complaint in December, alleging non-compliance by Dublin Airport with EU regulations on airport charges, particularly concerning various charges related to passenger services and environmental fees.
Initially, the IAA indicated that Dublin Airport needed to reassess charges for transparency and compliance with the law; however, they have now backtracked on this requirement.
The IAA said: “Our final decision is that, rather than re-assessing the charges on an interim basis in time for winter 2024-2025, Dublin Airport should review the charges as part of the annual consultation process to take effect in time for the summer 2025 season, which commences on 30 March 2025.”
A DAA spokesperson said: “Dublin Airport conducted the 2024 annual charges review in compliance with regulations, as evidenced by the lack of complaints from other airport users.
“These annual charges to airlines undergo thorough regulatory scrutiny every year. It is disappointing that Ryanair has challenged our efforts to promote a quieter, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient fleet at Dublin Airport through the proposed charges, which support our sustainability goals and ambitions. It is also discouraging that the IAA has questioned the appropriateness of environmental charges and the Dublin Airport Low Emissions Aircraft Discount incentive, which we introduced as a catalyst for lower noise and CO2 emissions.”
