Willie Walsh, former CEO of Aer Lingus and current IATA director general, criticized Dublin Airport’s passenger cap, stating it is seen as “a joke” by international airlines, and called for government intervention to address the issue.
Speaking at an event in Dublin, he highlighted that the current cap of 32m annual passengers, a planning condition from 2007 related to Terminal 2, is an artificial restriction, as there are no actual capacity problems with runways or terminals at the airport.
Walsh warned that the cap could lead to higher airfares for travelers as demand remains high but is stifled by the imposed limitations, noting that airlines prefer to serve the Irish market through Dublin rather than regional airports like Shannon or Cork.
He emphasised the need for a long-term solution and clarity from the government regarding Dublin Airport’s capacity, advocating for the importance of infrastructure in supporting Ireland’s economic development.
Mr Walsh said “Capacity is being artificially constrained. Demand continues to be strong. Supply and demand will be a big factor in the Irish market and that will lead to an increase in fares, simply because there will be more demand for the seats that are available in the market. It would be a great idea to have an infrastructure minister in the next cabinet. Infrastructure is going to be critical to continuing to develop the economy in Ireland. The government will have to intervene if we’re to get a long-term solution to the issue at Dublin Airport. Legal action is often just a temporary solution. We do need a long-term solution at Dublin Airport, at least clarity around what the government wants to do with capacity at Dublin Airport.”
