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The debate: Should the passenger cap out of Dublin Airport be lifted?

Irish and US airlines are taking legal action over a 32 million-a-year passenger cap imposed on Dublin Airport in 2007, after the Irish Aviation Authority said numbers for next summer would be limited to 25.2 million

Arguments about increasing the passenger cap for Dublin Airport revolve around the damage aviation does to the climate and the view that Ireland's modern economy requires greater use of flights. Photograph: iStock
Arguments about increasing the passenger cap for Dublin Airport revolve around the damage aviation does to the climate and the view that Ireland's modern economy requires greater use of flights. Photograph: iStock
Louise O’Leary
Dómhnal Slattery
Tue Oct 29 2024 - 06:00

Dómhnal Slattery: Yes. We need new long-haul routes out of Dublin – and more short-haul capacity in Shannon and Cork

Ireland’s economy is performing strongly, driven by decisions made decades ago that created an attractive investment environment. However, a lack of long-term infrastructure planning and investment is now threatening our competitiveness and economic growth. In particular, we need to consider the continued growth in demand for air travel and Ireland’s role as a gateway to the EU. We cannot let short-term thinking erode competitive advantages built over decades. We must also recognise that, as an island on the periphery of Europe, air travel is a key element of our economic success. We need to allow for growth in air travel while investing in the infrastructure and initiatives to deliver on our climate ambitions.

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Much of the discussion today centres on Dublin Airport’s capacity constraints, but this narrow focus misses the bigger issue. Ireland doesn’t have an airport capacity problem; we have a policy problem. With a new government likely in the coming months, now is the time to revise our national aviation policy to recognise the roles Shannon and Cork airports can play in easing pressure on Dublin and driving economic growth.

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Dublin Airport currently handles 86 per cent of Ireland’s air traffic and is one of Europe’s most congested airports. Yet, Shannon and Cork have ample capacity to accommodate five million more passengers today without significant investment – Shannon alone could handle three million and Cork two million. While the passenger cap should be increased in Dublin, focusing on the potential inherent in these airports can unlock an economic growth driver for the south and west of Ireland. Shannon’s catchment area covers 38 per cent of Ireland’s population, yet the airport handles just 4 per cent of the country’s traffic. The region is home to 50 per cent of the country’s foreign direct investment and is a major tourism hub. A refocused policy would make it easier for passengers in the region to fly directly to their destinations rather than being funnelled through Dublin. This will save time, cut CO2 emissions from road travel, and reduce congestion in Dublin.

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A more pragmatic use of existing airport slots at Dublin, Shannon, and Cork could enhance Ireland’s connectivity and strengthen economic competitiveness. The Irish Aviation Authority should focus on new long-haul routes at Dublin while directing more short-haul capacity to Shannon and Cork. This would boost Ireland’s connectivity and competitiveness across all regions. Beyond economic benefits, a more diversified aviation strategy reduces the risk of a single point of failure from incidents such as cyberattacks or other threats occurring at Dublin. Shannon also has the potential to become an innovation and development hub for sustainable aviation fuel. Its existing infrastructure and proximity to renewable energy resources position it as a hub for driving green aviation solutions in what is considered a “hard-to-abate” sector. Making Shannon a hub for sustainable aviation fuel would not only strengthen Ireland’s aviation sector but also support the country’s green transition.

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‘Shannon and Cork have ample capacity to accommodate five million more passengers today without significant investment – Shannon alone could handle three million and Cork two million’

—  Dómhnal Slattery

The aviation sector has been an integral part of Ireland’s economic success, and it needs to remain so if we are to maintain our competitive advantage globally. A forward-thinking aviation strategy that fully leverages Shannon and Cork would reduce congestion, improve connectivity and drive regional development. This balanced approach would strengthen Ireland’s aviation infrastructure, keeping the country competitive on the global stage. Any new programme for government in 2025 must prioritise strategic investment in transport, housing, utilities and green energy, with a smart aviation policy at its core. Shannon and Cork are ready to contribute, and their inclusion in national aviation planning is essential for Ireland’s future prosperity. They will be critical in securing Ireland’s place as a globally connected and competitive economy for decades to come.

Dómhnal Slattery is chairman and chief executive of investment firm Clahane Capital and the founder and former chief executive of Avolon, an aircraft lessor

Louise O’Leary: No. ‘Debating’ whether capping flights is right is ludicrous

We all want children to grow up to live a good life, to be safe from harm and healthy. But our kids are in big trouble without a massive global mobilisation to drive down the emissions currently destroying their futures. If there is to be any hope for them, we need courageous action from every sector, including aviation. Maintaining the passenger cap at Dublin Airport in the responsible position. Children’s fundamental rights demand it, their futures depend on it. This is not opinion or rhetoric. This is science, this is our reality.

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The UN Emissions Gap report of recent days shows a dire gap between the action essential to protect humanity, and the pace of change. Now, experts warn we may be on track for 3.1 degrees of warming above pre-industrial levels. This would be catastrophic and would happen this century, within many of our children’s lifetimes. The homelands of more than one billion people would become unlivable, food and water systems, and ultimately society as we know it, would collapse. Every child’s future depends now on unprecedented mobilisation to drive down emissions. “Debating” whether capping flights is right is ludicrous. Not only can there be no increased flights, the State must now significantly reduce aviation emissions and fast. Otherwise it will be wilfully acting against every child’s human rights.

‘It is a damning indictment of the value placed on our children’s lives there is any “debate” about increasing already massive levels of flight traffic. Children have been utterly betrayed by industries such as aviation’

—  Louise O’Leary

We are heaving the worst of climate harms and economic burdens on to the smallest shoulders. Those proclaiming economic consequences of keeping the already colossal 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport ignore the fact that the cost of climate inaction far outstrips the cost of essential climate action. To take a few measures: Ireland faces coastal flooding costs alone of €2 billion every year by 2050, if adaptive measures are not taken. Today’s children face major drops in income (some 20 per cent) as adults, worsening if emissions are not rapidly cut. And if global warming causes the collapse of the Atlantic current system that gives Ireland its temperate climate, we lose our way of life forever. Some experts predict this occurring within 25-30 years, without urgent emissions cuts. Tourism along with the rest of the economy would be decimated.

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It is a damning indictment of the value placed on our children’s lives, that there is any “debate” at all about increasing already massive levels of flight traffic. Children have been betrayed by key industries such as aviation, which are wilfully defying the science. Ireland is using record amounts of aviation fossil fuel, 1.36 billion litres last year alone.

Faced with “a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future” for our children and grandchildren, we are hearing from the wrong people. We need to be clear-eyed about what those calling for increased flights are doing. They are calling for action that would produce massive increases in harmful emissions; action entirely contrary to climate science.

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All of our futures now depend on rapid unprecedented emissions cuts across all sectors. No amount of corporate lobbying or communications spin can change that fact. The outlook for every child has never been graver. It is simply not acceptable for voices calling for wilfully harmful action to be dominant any more.

Louise O’Leary is spokeswoman for the Children’s Rights Over Flights campaign and mother to a two-year-old boy