A major US airline lobby group has called for Aer Lingus’ access to American airports to be restricted or suspended, escalating a long‑running dispute over Dublin Airport’s controversial annual passenger cap.
Airlines for America (A4A), which represents major US carriers, has urged the Irish Government to introduce emergency legislation lifting the cap by 1 February, warning that failure to do so should trigger reciprocal limits on Aer Lingus’ US traffic rights.
A4A argues that the 32‑million‑passenger ceiling at Dublin Airport risks forcing US airlines to surrender existing slots and prevents further expansion into the Irish capital — a key transatlantic hub for both business and leisure travel.
A Capacity Cap Years in the Making
Dublin Airport’s cap was introduced in 2007 as part of planning approval for Terminal 2 and is intended to protect local communities from excessive noise. The airport only reached the limit in 2024, but airlines say the restriction is now choking growth, undermining competitiveness, and limiting inbound business travel to Ireland.
The cap fluctuates between winter and summer seasons but remains a hard annual ceiling. Multiple carriers — including Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Emerald Airlines — have long argued that the limit is economically damaging and out of step with Ireland’s ambitions as a global business destination.
Aer Lingus Caught in the Crossfire
Although A4A’s complaint does not name Aer Lingus directly, the Irish flag carrier is the only Ireland‑based airline operating to the US and therefore the only one whose rights could be curtailed under the proposed retaliatory measures.
Aer Lingus has significantly expanded its transatlantic network since the pandemic and now serves 17 US destinations from Dublin. Any restriction on its US access would have major financial and operational consequences, as well as implications for business travellers who rely on Dublin as a convenient one‑stop gateway to North America.
A4A has warned that if the Irish Government does not suspend the cap by February, it will formally seek to limit Aer Lingus’ ability to operate to the US — and has suggested the dispute could be escalated to the White House if necessary.
US Carriers Say Growth Is Being Blocked
American Airlines, Delta and United have all increased their Dublin operations in recent years, but argue that the cap now prevents further expansion. They also claim Aer Lingus’ dominant slot position allows it to prioritise long‑haul services at the expense of short‑haul flights, giving it an unfair competitive advantage on transatlantic routes.
In its complaint, A4A accuses Ireland of breaching EU regulations and the US‑EU Air Transport Agreement by imposing a planning condition that restricts passenger numbers and could lead to the withdrawal of US carriers’ historical slots.
Legal Battle Continues
The cap is currently suspended pending a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, after Fingal County Council issued enforcement action against Dublin Airport for exceeding the limit in summer 2025. An opinion from the court’s advocate general is expected in February, with a final ruling due in 2026.
The Irish Aviation Authority has previously warned that not all scheduled flights for summer 2025 would fit within the cap, and has said removing the limit would allow all existing slot series to continue and support new entrants and growth.
Industry Voices Grow Louder
Irish airlines remain united in their opposition. Emerald Airlines’ executive chairman Pat Kenny has described the cap as “Ireland’s own version of Brexit” and “the greatest act of economic self‑harm since the foundation of the State,” urging the government to recognise the scale of the economic risk.
For business travellers, the outcome of this dispute could have significant implications — from reduced transatlantic capacity to potential fare increases or route reshuffles. With the February deadline looming, pressure is mounting on the Irish Government to act swiftly to avoid a transatlantic aviation standoff.