An Coimisiún Pleanála failed to comply with 'balanced approach' on nightly flights at Dublin Airport

While the previous 65-flight limit had been in place at Dublin Airport since 2007, it had consistently been breached in recent years.

An Coimisiún Pleanála has been rebuked by the European Commission for failing to adhere to EU law when endorsing the doubling of night-time flights at Dublin Airport.

In a decision, the commission said the planning body had failed to fully comply with the “balanced approach” recommended by the commission in deciding to implement new flight restrictions at the airport last July.

That decision had seen the number of night-time flights allowed at the airport between 11pm and 7am to increase from 65 to 98, a move which angered locals who claim such flights have a heavily detrimental effect on quality of life in the region.

The commission had been notified of the decision to expand the number of flights by the planning body when it arrived at its decision last summer.

Its ruling means the planning body must now “examine” its findings, and inform the commission of its “intentions” before introducing any new flight cap, meaning the decision is effectively void for the time being.

While the previous 65-flight limit had been in place at the airport since 2007, it had consistently been breached in recent years, with about 90 flights per night on average landing or taking off in 2023.

Operating restrictions

“The operating restrictions at Dublin Airport, which Ireland intends to introduce ... do not fully follow the process set out” in EU regulations “insofar as Ireland has not considered other measures”, the European Commission said in its decision.

“Ireland shall examine this decision, and inform the commission of their intentions before introducing these operating restrictions at Dublin Airport."

It said only one pillar of four of the aforementioned “balanced approach” — the imposition of night-time restrictions — had been used by the planning body in coming to its decision.

An Coimisiún Pleanála had not replied to a request for comment on the commission's decision at the time of writing.

Liam O’Gradaigh, a local resident and spokesperson for the St Margaret’s The Ward Residents’ group, said the decision represents “a total vindication” of the grouping’s ongoing battle to keep the 65-flight restriction in place.

“The EU has now found that the process was flawed. We have proposed solutions but nobody is engaging with us as stakeholders,” he said.

“We remain open to meaningful engagement."