Dublin Airport Faces Capacity Crisis

4 Oct 2024 - Alexander Broderick - Intern at Metro Dublin

​Dublin Airport is struggling with road access issues that are leading to capacity problems, higher airfares, and service cuts by Ryanair, with long-term solutions like MetroLink not expected until 2038. In the meantime, the Metro Dublin Project 2032 promises to save commuters up to three weeks of travel time annually, significantly improving access to the airport and easing congestion.

Dublin Airport, originally projected to reach a capacity of 40 million passengers by 2030, is already feeling the strain of exceeding its infrastructure limits. Despite its current capacity of 30 million passengers annually, the airport served 34.1 million travellers in 2023, highlighting a growing concern.

Contrary to popular belief, the capacity problem at Dublin Airport is not primarily related to air traffic. Instead, the real issue lies with inadequate road access. The airport's connectivity is severely limited by an outdated cross junction and an overly congested roundabout that feeds into the motorway. These access points were due for improvement over 15 years ago, but the necessary upgrades have not materialized, leaving the airport with a significant bottleneck.

Additionally, the long-awaited Metrolink, which could alleviate some transportation issues, isn't expected to be operational until the late 2030s. The delays in addressing these critical infrastructure problems have already had tangible effects. Ryanair, one of the airport’s largest operators, has pulled several services from Dublin Airport, with more reductions expected in the future. This reduction in services could result in higher airfares, impacting travellers and increasing costs for consumers.
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As the airport continues to grapple with these challenges, it’s becoming clear that without urgent infrastructural improvements, Dublin Airport’s future growth—and passenger affordability—hangs in the balance.

​Metro Dublin is poised to save commuters three weeks' worth of time each year by cutting through the current congestion around Dublin Airport. Jed van de Poll, CEO of Metro Dublin, highlights the impact with a simple question: "What would you do with 3 extra weeks worth of time each year?" Once operational, the metro will not only make airport access faster but greatly improve daily commutes across the city.