Ireland has approved new legislation to remove the limit on the number of people who can fly from Dublin Airport each year.
The legislation gives the Minister of Transport the power to lift the 32 million annual passenger restriction, which has sparked years of debate within the aviation industry.
Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Act 2026 also safeguards Dublin Airport Authority’s planning application. The application seeks permission to raise the passenger cap and to develop several capacity-enhancing projects, including new piers and aircraft stands and a new Integrated Transport Hub.
The Department of Transport said removing the cap would enable the sustainable growth of the airport, supporting increased passenger traffic in line with airline demand, while remaining compliant with EU law and balancing the interests of local communities.
