Dublin Airport – airlines threaten boycott

As air travel continues to grow and airlines say they expect a significant increase in passenger numbers, airports around the world may find themselves in conflict as local authorities tighten operations at these airports and force them to limit capacity. passengers to reduce emissions.

Although Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has applied to increase the annual passenger limit by 25% in December 2023, delays and opposition to the implementation of this increase mean that airlines are threatening to abandon their routes to the airport.

Since 2022, when the airport's northern runway opened, the airport's capacity has been limited to no more than 32 million passengers per year as part of the plan to reduce emissions and noise pollution in the region, reports irishtimes.com.

The DAA is now lobbying to increase the passenger limit from 32 million to 40 million as it now aims to expand its capacity.

Fingal County Council, responsible for approving the application, has asked the DAA for additional information to justify the expansion and any increase in passenger numbers.

The council is asking for peak hour traffic volumes, measured by departures, aircraft arrivals and movements, and traffic growth projections, and states that there is no analysis of how projected traffic volumes will increase. According to irishtimes.com, the Council is questioning whether the DAA will be able to meet environmental standards requiring less emissions and noise pollution if an increase in the passenger limit is granted.

The Limerick Chamber of Commerce has raised objections to the Dublin expansion. saying the plan is flawed as there is significant underutilized capacity at other public airports.

However, airlines are threatening to pull out of Dublin Airport if the increase in passenger numbers is refused, Independent.ie reports .

Airlines for America (A4A) (whose members American Airlines, United and Delta operate transatlantic routes) argue that if passenger capacity limits continue, Dublin Airport will not be able to meet demand for passengers from United States, which will have a negative impact on the Irish economy, tourism and foreign direct investment.

“The number of passengers traveling between the United States and Ireland grew by 76% between 2013 and 2023, representing average annual growth rate of 5.8%. A4A expects similar annual increases in passenger traffic between the US and Ireland in the coming years,” A4A said in response to the Council's request.

British Airways, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Iberia Express expressed similar concerns to A4A, stating that they will also leave the airport or severely restrict operations there if the cap is not increased, reports simpleflying.com.

Aer Lingus has raised concerns about the job security of its 5,000 staff based at Dublin Airport , while Emirates raised the same concerns about more than 200 Irish cabin crew.

Source: travelnews.co.za