Multiple long-haul airlines are positioning themselves to launch services from Dublin Airport, pending the lifting of the current passenger cap. The move follows government efforts to revoke the limit, which has restricted growth at the hub. Carriers anticipate increased transatlantic and international routes, boosting connectivity and economic benefits for Ireland’s aviation sector.
International airlines which are considering new or expanded direct links to Ireland include:
- China Eastern: Interested in launching services to Shanghai.
- LATAM: Considering a new direct route to São Paulo, Brazil.
- Royal Jordanian: Understood to have Dublin in its sights for expansion.
- Riyadh Air: The new Saudi Arabian carrier is expected to include Dublin as it rapidly expands its European network.
New and recent long-Haul launches already confirmed for 2025–2026 include
- Cancun, Mexico: New Aer Lingus seasonal service starting in January 2026 (3x weekly) to run to March.
- Barbados: New Aer Lingus direct route launching March 31, 2026.
- Raleigh-Durham, US: Aer Lingus route launching April 13, 2026.
- Pittsburgh, US: Aer Lingus route scheduled for the summer 2026 season.
- Nashville & Indianapolis: Aer Lingus routes launched in summer 2025 and continuing into the 2025/26 winter season.
- Delta Air Lines: New direct route to Detroit launched in May 2025.
- United Airlines: Significant capacity increase for summer 2025, doubling flights to Washington D.C. and upgrading aircraft on the Chicago route.
- Gulf Carriers: Emirates (adding a 3rd daily flight to Dubai), Qatar Airways (increasing to 17-20 flights weekly to Doha), and Etihad Airways (increasing to 11x weekly in winter 2025 and 13x weekly for summer 2026).
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) recently published its final decision for Summer 2026 capacity, which allows for up to 25 additional daily slots by not including a seat cap coordination parameter for that season, following high court orders.
