LISTEN: Michael O’Leary on Dublin airport passenger cap

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has told Newstalk interview Ciara Kelly that the situation with the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is serious.

Heb said Ireland’s international standing suffers because the cap limits the airport to 32 million passengers per year despite runway capacity for 60 million. The government promised in its programme from January 2025 to scrap the cap as soon as possible, but 13 or 14 months later no action has followed. The Minister for Transport could issue a direction to eliminate the cap, but the government has failed to act despite a strong majority.

Mr O’Leary criticised the Taoiseach for spending time abroad on trips to places including China, Angola, and upcoming visits to Davos, while domestic issues remain unresolved. He stated that if the cap is not removed legislatively before the end of June, progress will stall during Ireland’s EU presidency in the second half of the year. He predicted that pressure from the US, including a potential block on Aer Lingus flights to New York following a complaint from American Airlines, would force rapid legislation within 24 hours. He suggested the Taoiseach risks embarrassment at the White House on St Patrick’s Day if the cap remains.

“I think it’s very serious. You know, Ireland international standing is a joke. We have a cap at Dublin Airport at 32000000 despite the fact that we have runway capacity for 60000000 passengers.” “If we don’t get this cap lifted, or this cap abolished legislatively before the end of June, Micheál Martin, we take over the presidency of the European Union, and nothing will be done by this government to the 2nd half of the year.”