There will be no cap on the number of passenger seats on aircraft using Dublin Airport next summer.
The High Court has granted a stay on a decision by the Irish Aviation Authority to introduce a cap on take-off and landing slots during the busy summer season.
Welcoming the news, Ryanair says its regrettable that the airlines had to take legal action to put a stay on the cap, while the Dublin Airport Authority says todays' decision will be welcomed by aviation, and its reviewing the decision to understand the implications for next year.
Clarity
Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO says: "The court had a difficult task in considering complex issues of domestic planning law, EU law and international treaties, which have competing interests.
"Today’s decision will be welcomed by aviation as it brings clarity and allows all parties to move forward and protects jobs and connectivity which is in everyone’s interest. We are now reviewing the detail of the decision to understand the exact implications for next year.
"The planning cap remains a significant issue for Ireland, and it is essential the planning regime now moves quickly to fully resolve the issue for the long term. We’re an island nation dependent on aviation for our prosperity and we need to maintain good connectivity.
"It is in everyone’s interest that we deliver an uplift to the planning cap quickly, so we don’t find ourselves back in this position in a year’s time."
Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary says: "It is deeply regrettable that the airlines had to take legal action to stay the idiotic cap at Dublin Airport solely because Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, wouldn’t do his job and issue a letter to the IAA.
"Today’s High Court ruling clears the way for this matter to be referred to the European Courts where Ryanair is confident that this absurd road traffic restriction from 2007 will be removed, which will enable airlines like Ryanair to continue to grow traffic, tourism, and jobs in Ireland."
