daa has welcomed the Government’s decision to remove the long-standing passenger cap at Dublin Airport, describing it as a pivotal step for Ireland’s connectivity and economic growth.
The operator said the cap had artificially constrained the airport’s ability to expand in line with rising demand, despite Ireland’s growing population and intensifying competition from other European hubs.
Removing the limit, daa argued, will safeguard Ireland’s global connectivity, a critical factor for trade, inward investment and employment in an island economy heavily reliant on international links.
According to daa, there is significant untapped demand for new long-haul services, particularly to South America, India and other fast-growing markets. The operator believes that lifting the cap will provide airlines with the certainty needed to launch routes that had previously been delayed or shelved.
The decision comes as daa advances a €2 billion infrastructure programme aimed at modernising and expanding Dublin Airport’s facilities. The investment plan includes terminal upgrades, capacity enhancements and improvements to passenger experience, alongside sustainability initiatives.
daa said it has already invested more than €23 million in mitigation measures for neighbouring communities, including home insulation schemes, school upgrades and voluntary property buyouts. It also highlighted that around half of all flights at the airport are now operated by quieter, next-generation aircraft.
Positioning Dublin Airport as Ireland’s only hub airport and a key strategic asset, daa said it would work closely with government, planners and local stakeholders as legislative and planning processes progress.
The removal of the passenger cap is expected to strengthen Dublin’s role as a transatlantic gateway and bolster its appeal to global airlines, as Ireland competes for connectivity, tourism and foreign direct investment.
For business and leisure travellers alike, the move signals a renewed focus on expanding route networks and future-proofing Ireland’s primary international gateway.