Aviation

Ryanair moves 16 routes and 200 jobs meant for Dublin Airport to Italy in latest passenger cap protest

Airline once again took aim at Eamon Ryan, calling on him to deliver growth and not ‘Green sound bites’

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair chief. ‘Dublin Airport is the main gateway to the island of Ireland and our tourism industry, which needs a transport minister and a tourism minister who are determined to deliver growth.’ Picture: Getty

Ryanair has said it has switched three aircraft, 16 new routes, and over 200 jobs originally meant for Dublin Airport to southern Italy in the airline’s latest searing intervention in the passenger cap row.

DAA, the airport operator, has applied to Fingal County Council to lift the passenger cap at Dublin Airport from 32 million to 40 million to allow for further expansion.

The move has sparked fierce debate over the airport’s economic value and its environmental responsibilities, with cabinet ministers divided over whether the application should be given the green light.