The Dublin-Donegal air route may end as a consequence of the Dublin Airport passenger cap, the head of Emerald Airlines – which operates the route under its Aer Lingus Regional stewardship – has warned.
Emerald founder and executive chairman Conor McCarthy, this week, described the controversial passenger cap at Dublin Airport as being “Ireland’s own version of Brexit” and urged the Taoiseach to get involved and take immediate action to guard against economic and tourism damage.
Mr McCarthy said the cap issue – which limits yearly passenger numbers at Dublin Airport to 32 million people – is a matter of national strategic priority and should be viewed as such by the Government.
He warned long-term effects could be rising air fares – with peak travel period return fares maybe rising as much as €300 – and the loss of flights to other countries.
As well as job losses and lost economic tourism revenues, Mr McCarthy also warned the Dublin-Donegal route – which is financially supported by the Government – could come under threat.
“Upon renewal, the future of this service may be at risk in a capacity-constrained environment as airlines are forced to prioritise more profitable routes,” he said.
