Dublin Airport measure signed into law
President Connolly has signed into law a bill that will give the Minister for Transport new powers to change the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
The cap, currently set at 32 million passengers a year, has been strongly criticised by airlines and business groups.
It is currently being challenged in the EU courts.
Welcoming the enactment of the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Act 2026, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said that he planned to “immediately” commence the relevant provisions of the act to enable An Coimisiún Pleanála to undertake the necessary environmental assessments.
Environmental assessments
“I am committed to ensuring the environmental assessments are completed within the strict timelines set out in the act, so that an order may be made to amend or revoke the passenger cap as soon as possible,” he stated.
Fingal County Council is currently assessing a Dublin Airport Authority infrastructure application, which seeks permission to raise the passenger cap and to develop several projects at Dublin Airport – including new piers and aircraft stands.
The Department of Transport said that these measures, along with the new legislation, would provide the infrastructure needed to facilitate Ireland’s “ambitious hub strategy” for the airport, and would facilitate growth in both passenger and cargo traffic “in line with airline strategies and market demand”.