The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has published its draft determination on Dublin Airport’s slot capacity for the Summer 2027 scheduling season, proposing measures that could allow up to 28 additional daily slots to be allocated at Ireland’s busiest airport.
The Summer 2027 season will run from 28th March to 30th October 2027. The draft coordination parameters published by the IAA will be used by the independent slot coordinator when allocating take-off and landing slots to airlines operating from Dublin Airport.
Under European slot allocation regulations, Dublin Airport is designated as a coordinated airport, meaning capacity must be carefully managed and slots allocated where demand exceeds available infrastructure. The IAA is responsible for determining the airport’s declared capacity, while the independent slot coordinator allocates slots in accordance with EU rules. According to the regulator, the proposed parameters would support additional competition and growth by making up to 28 extra daily slots available without impacting current service quality standards.
The draft decision also confirms that no seat-cap coordination parameter is proposed for Summer 2027. The IAA noted that, following a High Court order relating to ongoing legal proceedings, it is not taking into account planning conditions that limit the combined annual passenger capacity of Dublin Airport’s two terminals to 32 million passengers.
The passenger cap has been at the centre of a long-running debate between airlines, Dublin Airport operator daa, local residents and regulators. Airlines have argued that the restriction limits growth opportunities, while others maintain that capacity growth should remain tied to planning permissions and environmental considerations.
Dublin Airport continues to experience strong passenger demand, with airlines seeking additional capacity to expand existing routes and introduce new services. The availability of additional slots for Summer 2027 could provide further opportunities for airlines looking to increase their presence in the Irish market.
