Aer Lingus Considers Legal Challenge to Dublin Night Flight Restrictions
Airline Warns Noise Curbs Will Stifle Growth and Jobs
Aer Lingus is exploring legal avenues to contest a recent planning decision that caps night flights at Dublin Airport. The airline’s chief executive, **Lynne Embleton**, argues the imposed limit of 35,672 annual night operations will negatively impact the company’s expansion plans.
Profit Surge Amidst Regulatory Clash
The airline’s stance comes as it reported a significant jump in operating profits, reaching €135 million in the second quarter, a substantial increase of over 43% compared to the same period last year. Despite this financial success, the new flight restrictions introduced by An Coimisiún Pleanála are seen as a major impediment.
“The way in which most airports deal with this is through a noise quota system,” said **Ms Embleton**, labelling the flight limit “completely unnecessary.”
—Lynne Embleton, Chief Executive, Aer Lingus
The commission’s ruling, aimed at mitigating noise pollution for local residents, establishes a quota system that considers the noise generated by different aircraft types. However, planners deemed this insufficient on its own, implementing the stringent flight cap.
Broader Airport Limits Under Fire
**Ms Embleton** also called on the government to lift a separate passenger cap of 32 million per year at Dublin Airport. She cautioned that the night flight restriction could specifically hinder the airline’s ambition to grow its North Atlantic services and base more short-haul aircraft in Dublin.
In a similar move, **Michael O’Leary**, the chief executive of Ryanair, has indicated that his airline is also contemplating a challenge to the planning commission’s decision. This indicates a unified front among major carriers against the new regulations.
Expansion Plans at Risk
Aer Lingus has recently expanded its network, introducing new routes to Nashville and Indianapolis in the United States this summer, alongside an enhanced European schedule. The airline has also announced a new direct service to Cancún, Mexico, set to launch in January, and is considering further US destinations for next year.
The airline’s strong financial performance was attributed to capacity growth and robust revenue generation. Favourable fuel prices also contributed to the improved results. Overall capacity saw an increase of 10.9%, with passenger numbers rising by 4.3% year-on-year.
The airline’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), confirmed that Aer Lingus will soon receive three Airbus A321 extra long-range (XLR) aircraft. These new planes are crucial for expanding transatlantic routes by reducing long-haul flight costs. In the first half of the year, IAG reported an 8% revenue increase to €15.9 billion, with operating profit before exceptional items up by 43.5% to €1.9 billion.
The planning commission’s decision has been described by airlines as a “second passenger cap.” The ruling adjusted operating hours for the airport’s new north runway, allowing operations between 6 am and midnight. Previously, a ban was in place from 11 pm to 7 am on this runway. The older south runway will continue to operate throughout the night, while the north runway will be closed from midnight to 6 am.