No assessment on impact Dublin Airport cap removal could have on Cork

No assessment was undertaken into whether lifting the Dublin airport passenger cap would impact Cork and other regional airports, the minister for transport has said.

The Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Act 2026, new legislation allowing for the removal of the 32m annual limit on the number of people who can fly from Dublin Airport, was signed off last month.

The new laws give Mr O’Brien the power to change or revoke the cap, which was imposed by planners in 2007, but there has been concern that allowing further growth in the capital’s airport will hurt airports elsewhere.

Social Democrat TD Sinéad Gibney recently asked minister Darragh O’Brien if his department was warned, or a risk assessment was carried out, regarding potential job losses at regional airports due to the increase in the Dublin airport passenger capacity.

Mr O’Brien said it was “vital” that the passenger cap is addressed as soon as possible, as implementation of it would result in “an immediate cut of four million passengers at Dublin airport, which would severely impact on existing international connectivity and employment”.

“No assessment was carried out in relation to the potential impact” on regional airports, he said, but passenger numbers were on a strong growth trajectory in recent years.

Regional airports grew at a faster rate than Dublin airport in 2025, with Cork airport welcoming 3.46m passengers last year, 13% more than in 2024.

Mr O’Brien said this “clearly demonstrates that growth at Dublin airport does not have to result in a negative impact on our regional airports”.

He added that a new Regional Airports Programme published by his department earlier this year will ensure that regional airports receive support for sustainability projects and measures aimed at maintaining compliance with safety and security related obligations.

The programme will include airports with up to 3m passengers annually, meaning Shannon, Kerry, Donegal, and Ireland West will all be eligible, but not Cork.

Mr O’Brien said that he plans to launch a public consultation before the end of the year on the development of a new national aviation policy, which will include a focus on maximising use of regional airports.