Ryanair Challenges Dublin Airport Night Flight Ban in Court

Airline CEO Vows Legal Battle Against New Restrictions

Ryanair is set to challenge a recently imposed night-flight limit at Dublin Airport, with CEO Michael O’Leary announcing legal action. The airline argues the restrictions will hinder growth at the nation’s busiest airport.

Profits Surge Amidst Restriction Dispute

The announcement comes as Ryanair Holdings, Europe’s largest airline, reported a significant jump in profits. Net profit more than doubled to €820 million for the three months ending June 30th.

Mr O’Leary confirmed the company’s intention to seek a High Court review of the planning commission’s decision. The ruling restricts Dublin Airport to 35,672 annual flights between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

He asserted that Dublin Airport has possessed ample capacity for 60 million passengers annually since its second runway opened in 2022, nearly double its current traffic. “Airlines should be allowed to use that and grow,” Mr O’Leary stated.

Dual Caps Threaten Airport Expansion

The chief executive emphasized that the new night-flight cap effectively creates a second passenger limit at Dublin Airport, complementing the existing 32 million annual passenger restriction established by planners in 2007. He urged Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the government to abolish both constraints.

Mr O’Leary anticipates that European courts will nullify the new flight restriction, citing EU law that prohibits artificial limitations on air traffic. He also suggested that US airlines, already displeased with the passenger cap, might exert pressure on the Irish government regarding the night-flight ruling.

The government had previously pledged to lift the 32 million passenger cap in its January programme for government document. “Seven months later they are all about to go on three months holiday and nothing has been done,” Mr O’Leary declared.

Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have previously warned that the night-flight limit, which includes the crucial 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. period for both short and long-haul operations, will impede growth at Dublin Airport.

Financial Performance and Future Outlook

Earlier on Monday, Ryanair revealed it transported 57.9 million passengers in the first quarter of its financial year, a 4% increase over the same period in 2024. Profit after tax surged by 128% to €820 million, up from €360 million, with sales climbing 20% to €4.34 billion.

Mr O’Leary attributed the strong first-quarter performance partly to the timing of the Easter holiday in April. He noted that full-year traffic is still projected to grow by 3% to 206 million passengers, though this is affected by delayed aircraft deliveries from Boeing.

He projected that while demand for summer 2025 remains robust, fare increases in the second quarter will be lower than in the first. The airline expects to recover nearly all of the 7% fare decline experienced in the previous year’s second quarter.

Ryanair shares saw a nearly 6% increase, trading at €24.50 shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday.

Ryanair Calls for Action on Air Traffic Control Strikes

Furthermore, Mr O’Leary reiterated his calls for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to implement measures protecting flights during air traffic control strikes. French air traffic control industrial action frequently forces Ryanair and other carriers to cancel flights passing through French airspace, even if they are not landing there.

Ryanair had to cancel 700 flights, affecting 130,000 passengers, including routes from the Republic to popular holiday destinations, due to a French strike on July 3rd and 4th. The airline’s CEO stated that these French air traffic control strikes disproportionately impact passengers from both France and other affected nations.