Emerald Airlines, founded by Conor McCarthy and operating the Aer Lingus Regional service, anticipates making a profit for the first time this year, two years after its launch.
Emerald Airlines lost €21.3m and generated revenue of more than €81m in 2022, after the airline started operations in February 2022. Emerald lost €5.7m in 2021 when the business was just setting up and made no revenue.
Mr McCarthy criticised the Dublin Airport passenger cap, claiming it negatively affects the aviation sector and has led Emerald Airlines to reduce its fleet at Dublin Airport for the coming summer.
During an interview with Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Mr McCarthy referred to the passenger cap as “Ireland’s own version of Brexit,” describing it as a significant act of economic self-harm and urging government intervention.
He says the Dublin-Donegal route , supported by the government, may be a casualty of the cap and faces uncertainty upon renewal, as airlines will prioritise more profitable routes in a tightening capacity environment.
