The Government announced last week it would pass legislation to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. Visitor numbers have remained static, and they are spending less — so what’s driving the increase in passenger numbers? Tourism spending in Ireland has been in net deficit every year from 2003 to 2023 (except for lockdown-impacted 2021). Ryanair Group chief executive Michael O'Leary: Lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap seems to be almost entirely for the benefit of private airlines. A decrease in the emissions per passenger is not helpful if the passenger numbers keep rising.

Source: Irish Examiner February 18, 2026 02:30 UTC