Airline seat capacity to Ireland expected to rise 15% this winter

the figures from Fáilte Ireland come amid a pause in the Dublin Airport passenger cap

Enforcement of Dublin Airport's passenger cap has been suspended pending a court action in Europe over its legality. 

Airline seat capacity to Irish airports across the festive period is expected to be 15% higher than the same period last year as the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is paused amid ongoing court action, a report from Fáilte Ireland has said.

Under its 2007 planning permission, Dublin Airport is limited to managing 32 million passengers a year through both of their terminals. 

However, a group of airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, challenged the legality of the cap saying it infringes upon the EU’s principle of freedom of movement as well as the EU-US Open Skies Agreement.

Enforcement of the cap was suspended by the High Court with the matter being referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union for adjudication.

According to tourism body Fáilte Ireland, air access to the Republic of Ireland in 2025 is set to be 6% higher than in 2024.

"With no passenger cap at Dublin Airport this coming winter, the growth in seat capacity is expected to be 15% above last winter season’s levels with close to 10 million scheduled seats to the Republic of Ireland,” a report by the organisation said.

“The growth is due to happen across all key markets and across all winter months.” 

Great Britain accounts for 36% of seat capacity into Ireland this winter and is due to grow its access by 11% compared to last winter.

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“After strong growth throughout the summer, capacity from the US is also expected to be higher than the past two winter seasons. 

"All four airlines operating to Irish airports have scheduled more seats this winter. Aer Lingus, which accounts for 72% of US capacity, plans an 8% increase in seats to ROI,” the report said.

Mainland Europe is expected to account for 49% of seat capacity this winter. Seat capacity from France is due to be 10% above last winter while seat capacity from Germany is due to grow by 14% compared to last winter.

Fáilte Ireland said during the winter period, November 2025 to March 2026, there were on average 2,154 flights a week with 384,200 seats available each week.