The boss of Emerald Airlines – which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service – has branded the Dublin Airport passenger cap controversy as “Ireland’s own version of Brexit” and has urged Taoiseach Simon Harris to take immediate action.
Conor McCarthy, Emerald Airlines’ founder and executive chairman, said the issue must be recognised as a matter of national strategic priority and be addressed at a government level.
Mr McCarthy said all actions limiting air traffic growth at Dublin Airport should be halted until the review of the daa’s submission is completed. He said real harm will result from enforcing these limitations prematurely when there is a clear case for an upwards revision in the light of traffic improvements since 2007.
Mr McCarthy said the Government and the Taoiseach should acknowledge the significant and far reaching consequences of the issue, which will affect the entire Irish economy.
He also wants the immediate removal of transfer passengers from the existing cap.
“It was ludicrous that they were included in the first place, as they never leave the terminal nor can they use the road access at Dublin Airport,” Mr McCarthy said.
Mr McCarthy warned the consequences of the passenger cap will be rising air fares, a loss of tourism and trade, lost flights to other countries, lost tourism revenue and job losses.