The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) is lobbying for the Dublin Airport passenger cap to be lifted in a bid to boost tourism to the country.
The cap, which limits the number of passengers travelling through the airport to 32 million per year, was implemented in 2007 under a planning restriction. According to the ITIC, this could cause a double-digit decline in tourists visiting Ireland.
The cap was suspended in 2024 due to a legal challenge, however the restriction remains in place. Dublin Airport is on track to exceed the limit of allowed passengers in 2025.
According to Simple Flying, the matter was recently referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union, preventing the Irish Aviation Authority from imposing the cap until the legal process is resolved.
The airport operator, DAA, meanwhile is in the process of applying for an increase to allow 40 million passengers annually.
