Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has reiterated his call to scrap the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
Mr O'Leary met Transport Minister Eamon Ryan at Ryanair's offices in Dublin yesterday afternoon.
He made a series of demands and presented the Minister with a "seven year growth plan" with Ryanair investing $1.6 billion in new aircraft to grow Irish traffic by 50%.
It would see the company base 16 new aircraft here creating "up to 800 jobs".
A Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS aircraft in August 2011. Image: Greg Bajor / AlamyMr O'Leary said in addition to growth plans for Dublin, it would double traffic at Cork, Shannon and Kerry airports.
He reiterated his call to scrap the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
"Currently this growth is being lost due to your failure to scrap the artificial Dublin traffic cap of 32 million," he said in a letter.
"Your claim that you cannot intervene in the planning process is clearly untrue when you previously did so during the Shannon LNG planning process in 2022."
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan ride a bike in Dublin, 7-2-24. Image: PA Images / AlamyMr O'Leary said the cap could be changed "by ministerial direction to the DAA or by legislation".
He also called for investment at the airport, including additional low-cost car parking "especially for Irish customers during the summer peak".
Mr O'Leary said a proposed noise quota system for night time flights should be implemented and the current "defective night time movement cap" removed.
An open letter to Minister for Transport, @EamonRyan pic.twitter.com/MKF31AN9MT
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) March 7, 2024
He pointed to Minister Ryan's time in office, adding: "The Green growth opportunity sits on your desk - it's now time for action on the issues".
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson previously told Newstalk air fares would "go through the roof" if the country does not increase the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
The head of Dublin Airport operator DAA Kenny Jacobs has said a failure to increase the cap could see restrictions imposed on airlines who would move routes to places like Manchester and Edinburgh.
