Airlines for America (A4A), an organization representing leading US airlines, is reportedly challenging the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) over its decision to limit flight slots at Dublin Airport (DUB) this winter. In response to the annual 32 million passenger cap, the lobbying organization has teamed up with Aer Lingus , airport operator daa, and Ryanair to take legal action against the IAA to have the cap removed, according to a report by The Irish Independent . A4A alleging breach of the Open Skies Agreement In September 2024, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) announced its draft decision regarding Dublin Airport's summer capacity for 2025.
This decision includes implementing a winter cap on takeoff and landing slots to ensure the airport remains within its annual limit of 32 million passengers. For winter 2024, which runs from October 26, 2024, to March 29, 2025, the seat cap is set at 14.4 million passengers.
Airlines for America , which represents US carriers including American Airlines, United, Delta Air Lines , and JetBlue, argued that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a direct violation of the US-EU Open Skies Agreement. In a statement to RTE , a representative for A4A said: "The decision from the IAA to apply a restriction on passenger numbers for operations at Dublin Airport is a violation of the US-EU Open Skies agreement. "The filing made today is part of our ongoing effort to urge all governments involved - the Irish government, the European Commission, .