- Ryanair urges Micheál Martin to scrap Dublin Airport cap before January end amid Davos trip.
- Cap called illegal with 36.4m passengers handled in 2025 exceeding limit.
- Airlines for America files US DOT complaint for reciprocal action.
- Lifting cap could add 20 Ryanair aircraft, grow traffic 50pc, create jobs.
- Government promised scrap in January 2025 but delays persist despite majority.
Ryanair has called once more on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to return from Davos and pass legislation to scrap Dublin Airport’s passenger cap before January ends.
The airline labels the cap illegal and outdated, noting Dublin handled 36.4m passengers in 2025 despite the limit. Ryanair warns inaction risks US blocking Aer Lingus flights or affecting Martin’s White House visit. Airlines for America filed a US DOT complaint seeking reciprocal measures. Ryanair states lifting the cap could grow its Irish traffic by 50pc to 35m passengers by 2032 with 20 more aircraft and thousands of jobs.
Michael O’Leary criticised Martin’s overseas trips over domestic action despite a 20-seat majority. The government promised in January 2025 to scrap the cap as soon as possible. Ryanair urges freezing DAA fees and reforming ETS taxation. The European Court of Justice rules in February on the cap breaching EU freedom of movement and open skies. Martin prefers international travel over reform on housing and infrastructure.
“Micheál Martin’s failure to scrap the cap 13 months after he promised to do, despite a majority of 20 seats, is an international joke. The time has passed for promises, cabinet discussions, heads of bills, or any more delay. It’s time for action! In Feb, the European Court of Justice will rule on Ireland’s illegal cap, which is in breach of Europe’s Charter on freedom of movement. This cap is also contrary to the EU, U.S open skies agreement. After 13 months of inaction, Airlines 4 America has now made a complaint to the U.S DOT, calling for immediate action to force Ireland to scrap this illegal cap. None of this would be necessary, if our do-nothing Taoiseach and his do-nothing Govt had delivered their (Jan 2025) promise to scrap this cap as soon as possible.” “The problem Ireland suffers is a do-nothing Taoiseach leading a do-nothing Government. Micheál Martin prefers overseas trips rather than delivering real action on his Government Programme here at home. It’s time for Micheál Martin to scrap the cap, or quit. His failure to deliver, and that of his Government, is indefensible and inexplicable.”
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