Dublin airport 32m annual passenger cap to be lifted

Dublin airport 32m annual passenger cap to be lifted after Ireland passes new legislation relaxing a long-standing limit on passenger numbers at the airport. The cap of 32 million passengers per year, introduced in 2007, has been suspended pending a European Court ruling and was exceeded by four million last year. Irish transport minister Darragh O’Brien said the updated law reflects Dublin Airport’s strategic role as Ireland’s primary international gateway. The measure was passed earlier this week and signed by President Catherine Connolly on Thursday, with O’Brien saying an order to amend or revoke the cap will follow an environmental assessment. Airlines from Ireland, Europe and the US have warned that retaining the cap could damage Ireland’s economy. Dublin Airport operator DAA’s deputy chief executive Nick Cole welcomed the minister’s stated plan to enact the law before summer recess, citing benefits for growth, connectivity and jobs.