Ryanair has raised concerns about the looming Christmas travel chaos at Dublin Airport. As the holiday season approaches, Irish travelers face high fares and limited flight availability. Moreover, the recent closure of Holyhead Ferry Port in Wales has only highlighted the fragility of Ireland’s transport network. Clearly, when critical transport issues go unaddressed, disruptions affect everyone.
This year, Dublin Airport has seen a 220,000-seat reduction due to a capacity cap. At the same time, Belfast has received an additional 50,000 seats. Ryanair points out that, had the government acted sooner, they could have lifted the cap. Consequently, this would have allowed Ryanair and other airlines to add more flights and reduce congestion, making travel more affordable.
Unfortunately, travelers are now paying the price. With some one-way fares hitting £500, it’s evident that the lack of timely action has contributed to this surge in prices. Ryanair warned that this could happen, and it has. Additionally, flights from London to Dublin over the weekend of December 20th to 23rd are already seeing drastic price increases.
Meanwhile, Dublin Airport has invested over €200 million in infrastructure. However, the current cap limits the airport’s capacity to meet the growing demand. As a result, fewer flights are available, and prices continue to rise. In contrast, other airports across Europe, including Belfast, are receiving the extra flights that could have gone to Dublin.
Ryanair now calls for the Dublin Airport capacity cap to be removed. This change would allow airlines to increase their capacity, enhance tourism, and support job growth. With the holiday season approaching, swift action is needed. Without it, the holiday travel experience will remain frustrating and costly for many families.
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