12th February 2026
Following the approval at Cabinet this week of the publication of the General Scheme for the Dulin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill, which sets out the legislative approach to address the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:
“The decision reached this week to address the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a very welcome step forward in securing Ireland’s connectivity and continued economic growth. Enhanced capacity at Dublin Airport is essential for an island economy that depends on reliable, competitive links to international destinations. Strong air connectivity underpins enterprise growth, sustains exports and enables the continued expansion of the tourism sector.”
“Greater clarity around future airport capacity planning supports the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification, which seeks to strengthen and de-risk Ireland’s economic activity by enabling access to broader global markets.
“In recent seasons, capacity constraints have directly affected travel from key markets, including a reduction in transatlantic services during the 2024/25 winter period. Since the temporary suspension of the passenger cap pending legal review, projected connectivity from the United States has improved, with anticipated increases of approximately 10% for summer 2025 and 17% for winter 2025/26. We also will see growth from other strong tourism markets such as Germany, France and Great Britain. These developments underscore both the importance of stable airport capacity and the potential risks to connectivity and the tourism industry when restrictions are in place.
“Continued progress on airport planning offers a pathway to securing Ireland’s international connectivity, enhancing tourism performance and giving businesses the certainty they need to plan for future growth”.
ENDS
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