Aer Lingus has declared the draft decision from An Bord Pleanála regarding nighttime usage of Dublin Airport’s second runway unworkable, claiming it would significantly reduce night flight operations.
The planning board’s proposal includes extending the runway’s night hours and replacing the previous cap on night flights with an annual noise quota, aiming for a limit of 13,000 aircraft movements between 11pm and 6:59am.
It also said that the north runway should only be used for departures between 6am and 8am.
Aer Lingus highlighted that the new restrictions could undermine the Noise Quota System and negatively impact Dublin Airport as a hub, air connectivity for Ireland, jobs, and the National Aviation Policy.
The airport operator, daa, previously criticised the draft decision, labelling it a “backward step,” while some local residents showed cautious support for the proposed measures due to concerns about noise from night flights.
Separately, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has written to the Taoiseach saying that the Dublin Airport passenger cap is putting jobs at risk as several airlines cancel services.
