The ongoing debate over Dublin Airport’s passenger cap is set to continue as operator DAA moves to re-lodge its planning application with Fingal County Council in the coming days.
The Examiner reports the application seeks to officially increase the airport’s passenger capacity to 36 million a year, a move DAA argues is critical for Ireland’s economy and global connectivity.
In a statutory planning notice published on Wednesday, DAA confirmed that no physical expansion or construction is planned as part of the application. Instead, the request focuses solely on lifting the existing cap on passenger numbers, which the airport operator says is restricting growth at one of Europe’s busiest international gateways.
A DAA spokeswoman emphasised the importance of resolving the issue, saying:
“Lifting the passenger cap is essential for Ireland’s economy, tourism, and connectivity. The Programme for Government has recognized this and committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve a solution as soon as possible.”
This latest attempt follows a setback last month when FCC deemed the original December application invalid, citing three separate breaches of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The council also argued that the description of the proposed development in public notices was inadequate and misleading, leading to the application’s rejection.
Dublin Airport has been operating near capacity, with over 32 million passengers passing through in 2023, with demand expected to rise further.
