Airlines for America has confirmed it has joined the legal action against the IAA as a notice party.
The lobby group, representing major US carriers such as American Airlines and United, has joined a legal challenge against the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) over its winter passenger cap at Dublin Airport, arguing it violates the EU-US Open Skies Agreement.
The IAA intends to implement this cap to avoid exceeding an annual limit of 32 million passengers, a condition tied to the construction of Terminal 2 in 2007, despite opposition from Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which argues the proposed cuts are inadequate.
Airlines for America asserts that the IAA’s decision to restrict passenger numbers could cause irreparable harm to US airlines and Dublin’s economy, emphasizing Dublin Airport’s role as a crucial transatlantic link.
Keith Glatz from Airlines for America highlighted that allowing the cap to persist could unduly strain US-Ireland relations, given the strong ties between the two nations, and warned that any reduction in services could adversely impact economies and travellers on both sides.
A written statement shared: “Dublin Airport is a critical transatlantic link and economic gateway between the US and Europe, The decision from the IAA to apply a restriction on passenger numbers for operations at Dublin Airport is a violation of the US-EU Open Skies agreement. The filing made today is part of our ongoing effort to urge all governments involved—the Irish government, the European Commission, and the US government—to urgently resolve this matter before irreparable damage is done not only to US airlines, but also to Dublin Airport and the Irish economy.”
Keith Glatz, SVP of International Affairs, Airlines for America, shared: “It is unfathomable that the Irish government would abandon its treaty obligations to the United States and allow the passenger cap at Dublin to continue. Given the strong and diverse ties between the U.S. and Ireland across business, families and culture – it is mind boggling we even find ourselves in the current situation. Any outcome that results in a reduction of service is not only detrimental to the travellers, shippers and economies of both of our countries, it also has potential implications to the overall US – Ireland relationship.”
