Irish Aviation Authority proposes 15% cut to Dublin Airport passenger charge 

Ryanair welcomes move but DAA say it risks further investment at the airport

Passengers queuing at Dublin Airport. The Irish Aviation Authority has proposed to cut passenger charges at Dublin Airport by 15% next year, with Ryanair responding that it could mean an extra 2m passengers added but the airport operator DAA warning it risks further investment in facilities. Picture: Dominic McGrath/PA Wire

The Irish Aviation Authority has proposed to cut passenger charges at Dublin Airport by 15% next year, with Ryanair responding that it could mean an extra 2m passengers added but the airport operator DAA warning it risks further investment in facilities. 

The IAA published a draft determination on Tuesday on proposed maximum airport charges at Dublin Airport for the period 2027 to 2031. The IAA is proposing a nominal price cap of €8.85 per passenger for 2027 - 15% lower than the 2026 price cap of €10.39 - which IAA said brings the price cap back to the levels in 2023 to 2025 which ranged from €8.46 to €9.54.

The IAA is responsible for setting airport charges in Dublin. Dublin is the country's only airport with regulated charges, with regional airports unaffected.  

Ryanair welcomed the IAA proposals, and said it could add up to 2m more passengers and three new aircraft based there, making Dublin the first airport to receive Ryanair’s new Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft. "This transformative investment will grow new routes and jobs in Dublin, boost inbound tourism and trade, and deliver significant economic growth for Ireland,” said Ryanair executive Eddie Wilson.

"Lower airport charges are key to attracting airlines to invest in new routes, stimulate traffic growth, improve connectivity and maximise economic benefits for the all-island economy, where Dublin Airport is the main gateway."

IAA said increased passenger numbers at the airport and stronger performance of commercial activities allows the airport to increase revenue, and IAA also proposes allowing for higher operating expenditure at the airport.  

“These proposals enable Dublin Airport to deliver significant new infrastructure, adding capacity and improving the passenger experience. When delivered, this infrastructure will allow the airfield and passenger facilities to operate more efficiently, providing better service standards for all passengers and airlines," said IAA chief executive Declan Fitzpatrick.

For its part, DAA had been seeking an increase in the average passenger charge, and said the proposed cuts "risk undermining the progress that has been made in making Dublin Airport one of Europe’s best-performing capital city airports for passengers and airlines".

“The proposed €1.54 reduction in the airport charge may appear small, but it has significant implications for Dublin Airport’s ability to continue investing in better facilities and services for passengers and airlines," said DAA deputy executive Nick Cole said. "Today’s passenger charge is already among the lowest in Europe and is supporting almost €300m of investment in the airport this year - the biggest annual investment programme since Terminal 2 opened.

“Passengers have told us they value the improvements that have been made, and our focus is on delivering even more. We are concerned that this Draft Determination could make it harder to sustain that level of investment in the years ahead.”

The proposal is open for consultation, with submissions invited by Friday September 18 and a final determination to be made by the end of the year.

IAA draft proposals predict passenger traffic at Dublin Airport to grow at an average rate of 3.2% per year, increasing from 39.4m in 2027 to 44.5m by 2031. IAA said this would allow for the collection of between €1.6bn and €2bn in aeronautical revenues from airport charges at the airport. It predicts Dublin Airport to spend €2.3bn in operating costs in this time, but says the hub will generate €2.6bn in commercial revenue from its retail, food and beverage, car parking, lounges, and other commercial activities.