The European Commission has ruled that Ireland’s planning authorities failed to follow EU rules on new restrictions at Dublin Airport as they did not conform to Regulation (EU) 598/2014.
The proposal set an annual limit of 35,672 aircraft movements between 11pm and 7am and banned operations on the north runway during those hours except in specified circumstances.
The Commission stated that Irish authorities failed to consider measures other than operating restrictions as required by Article 5(3).
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed it examined the decision and considered whether to reopen the process.
Ryanair welcomed the ruling and urged the Government to pass legislation by St Patrick’s Day to remove artificial caps at Dublin Airport.
The proposal set an annual limit of 35,672 movements between 11pm and 7am and banned north runway operations at night except in specified circumstances.
The Commission stated that Irish authorities had not considered measures other than operating restrictions.
No fresh operating restrictions can apply until authorities informed the Commission so the original planning conditions for North Runway remain in place.
The previous annual cap of 35 672 night flights between 11pm and 7am imposed alongside a noise quota in a July decision has not taken effect and sources in the air travel industry expect the restriction to be axed in favour of measures focused on quieter modern aircraft.
Ryanair welcomed the ruling as confirmation that the proposed cap breached EU law.
Michael O’Leary shared “Micheál “Do Nothing” Martin published a Programme for Govt 14 months ago in Jan 2025, in which he promised his Govt (with a 20-seat majority) would scrap Dublin Airport’s cap “as soon as possible”. Now, the EU Commission has embarrassingly moved before his Govt to find An Coimisúin Pleanála’s night-time cap to be in breach of EU law. When will Micheál “Do Nothing” Martin do something to stop these artificial caps being applied by local planning bodies by passing legislation before St Patrick’s Day to scrap caps at Dublin Airport for the benefit of jobs, our tourism industry and our economy?”
