Dublin Airport has too many passengers and is running out of time

An upper limit on passenger numbers is creating a major headache for the country’s primary transport hub

Data from Fáilte Ireland shows that the planned seat capacity for flights into Ireland this winter and into early next year are expected to be 11% higher than levels seen in 2019 and 2020. Picture: Conor McCabe

Following what has been a stellar year for Dublin Airport in terms of passenger numbers rebounding after the pandemic, its operator, the Daa, is now facing the prospect of stymying its growth potential over the coming years as it tries to stick within passenger limits.

Dublin Airport’s capacity is limited by the planning permission it received in 2006 which allowed it to construct terminal two. The limit was set at 32m passengers per year with the Daa due to submit a new planning application on December 15 which would allow it to increase annual capacity to 40m.