The operator of Dublin Airport has confirmed it is submitting an application seeking to increase the passenger cap to 36 million a year.
Dublin Airport currently has a passenger cap of 32 million a year, which was put in place as part of planning permission for the second terminal in 2007.
Daa said the so-called 'no build' operational application is being submitted to Fingal County Council.
In a statement, daa said it hopes the application "can move swiftly through the planning system" as it does not involve seeking permission to build any infrastructure.
Daa added it hopes the request can also "provide a short-term solution to the terminals cap impasse impacting Ireland's connectivity, tourism and economy".
This application, it said, is in addition to daa’s infrastructure planning application to increase the terminals cap to 40 million a year and deliver €2.4 billion of investment "in critical infrastructure and sustainability improvements at Dublin Airport".
This was lodged on 15 December 2023.
In November 2024, daa lodged its response to Fingal County Council's request for further information on this application.
The cap was also reached November.
The move comes as Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary called on the incoming government to scrap the cap.
In a statement, Ryanair called on the new government to immediately abolish what it described as the "outdated and damaging" Dublin Airport cap as soon as they take power in January 2025.
Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, said: "There is widespread agreement that a pragmatic and constructive approach is needed to resolve this critical national issue impacting Ireland’s main transport hub."
Mr Jacobs said the new application is "sensible" as daa waits for the outcome of its larger infrastructure application.
The airport, he said, "already has the capacity to comfortably manage 36 million passengers a year".
Some residents living near Dublin Airport and environmentalists oppose the lifting of the cap because of the impact it will have on carbon emissions and noise pollution in the area.
