Airlines for America, a lobby group representing major US carriers like American Airlines, United, Delta, and JetBlue, has entered a legal battle with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) over its decision to limit passenger numbers at Dublin Airport this winter. The group claims the cap violates the EU-US Open Skies Agreement, which governs air travel between the two regions. United Airlines has already labelled the move as unlawful.
The IAA plans to introduce a winter cap on takeoff and landing slots to ensure Dublin Airport does not exceed its annual 32 million passenger limit, a condition established in 2007 when Terminal 2 was constructed. The proposed restriction has sparked opposition from several airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, which have filed separate legal actions against the IAA. Dublin Airport’s operator, the DAA, has also initiated a case but argues that the cap does not go far enough to prevent the airport from breaching the passenger limit. While the DAA is required to enforce the cap, it has long called for the limit to be raised or eliminated altogether.
Airlines for America formally joined the legal action as a notice party, criticizing the IAA’s decision. “The IAA’s restriction on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport is a clear violation of the US-EU Open Skies agreement,” the group said in a statement. “We are urging the Irish government, the European Commission, and the US government to resolve this issue before it causes irreparable harm, not only to US airlines but also to Dublin Airport and the Irish economy.”
The group emphasized that Dublin Airport is a vital transatlantic gateway, connecting the US to Europe and serving as a key economic link between the regions. A cap on passenger numbers could have serious consequences for travel, trade, and tourism between the two countries.
The IAA recently announced a draft decision to reduce seat capacity for Dublin’s summer season (March to October) in 2025, cutting available seats by one million compared to 2024. The authority oversees capacity management at the airport, with a UK-based company, Airport Coordination, in charge of slot allocation.
Keith Glatz, Senior Vice President of International Affairs at Airlines for America, warned that the case could impact wider US-Ireland relations. “It is hard to believe that the Irish government would abandon its treaty commitments to the US by allowing the passenger cap to stand. With such strong ties between our nations in business, family, and culture, this situation is truly baffling. Reducing air service would hurt not only travellers and businesses but also the broader relationship between the US and Ireland,” Glatz said.
