A cap on the number of flights coming in and out of Dublin Airport next summer has been paused by a High court ruling.

Dublin Airport could see its passenger numbers grow to as many as 34 million next year – higher than the 32 million cap in force at the gateway - according to DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs. It’s already set to handle close to 33 million this year.

Dublin Airport is set to breach its passenger limit of 32 million in December after recording its busiest October ever with nearly 2.9 million people passing through its terminals, its operator DAA has said.

Dublin Airport looks set to breach its 32 million a year passenger cap next month, it has warned. It follows another month when the number of passengers using the two terminals reached a record level. 2.9 million passengers passed through the airport during October, up 0.5% compared to the same month last year.

Central to the application was the airlines’ argument that they have a right under EU law to certain take-off and landing slots

The High Court in Dublin has agreed to pause the effects of a Dublin Airport passenger cap that was due to imminently affect airlines’ access to take-off and landing slots over the summer 2025 period.

A cap on passengers using Dublin airport next summer has been paused after airlines challenged the proposal. The high court in Dublin granted a stay on a decision by Ireland’s aviation regulator to cap the number of take-off and landing slots during the busy peak season. The decision was welcomed by airlines which took the action.

Ireland’s High Court has agreed to pause the implementation of Dublin Airport’s passenger cap for summer 2025, after airlines Ryanair Holdings Plc and Aer Lingus made an urgent application to the court saying it would negatively impact their access to slots.