Ryanair and Aer Lingus have received formal High Court permission to challenge the Irish Aviation Authority’s decision to limit passenger numbers at Dublin Airport for the winter season, with both airlines claiming the decision is legally flawed and should be set aside.
The airlines argue that the IAA exceeded its powers, acted irrationally, and failed to provide proper reasons for its decision, leading to concerns about the impact on their operations and potential financial losses.
The airlines seek to have the IAA’s decision quashed and are also pursuing a declaration that the respondent erred in law regarding the allocation of slots at EU airports, with the daa and Airport Coordination Limited as notice parties in the legal actions. The challenges have been granted permission by the High Court and are scheduled for hearings next week.
Last May, the IAA announced that it would be imposing a Passenger Air Traffic Movement (PATM ) seat cap of just over 14.4m passengers in Dublin Airport from 27 October until 29 March.
