U.S. airlines are intensifying efforts to block a proposed passenger cap at Dublin Airport, arguing it would significantly disrupt transatlantic travel and violate international aviation agreements. In a formal complaint filed on January 5, Airlines for America (A4A) called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to intervene with the Irish government and the European Union.
The cap would limit annual traffic at Dublin Airport to 32 million passengers, an 11% reduction compared with the estimated 36 million travelers handled in 2025. A4A warned that U.S. carriers would be directly affected, with fewer available seats and reduced growth on popular transatlantic routes between the United States and Ireland.
While the cap has technically been approved, enforcement is currently on hold pending a ruling by Ireland’s High Court, which is awaiting guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union. A preliminary opinion is expected in February. A4A argues the restriction is based on ground transport congestion rather than runway or airspace limits and conflicts with the U.S.–EU open skies agreement.
Ireland’s prime minister has said the government plans to remove the cap through new legislation, but U.S. airlines are pressing for faster action. A4A has urged the DOT to consider retaliatory measures if the limit is not lifted promptly, highlighting growing tensions over airport capacity rules on both sides of the Atlantic.
