ICBA Welcomes Historic Decision to Lift Dublin Airport Passenger Cap

Move will safeguard Ireland’s position as gateway to Europe for Canadian investment and strengthen transatlantic connectivity.

The Ireland Canada Business Association (ICBA) has welcomed today’s Cabinet approval of legislation to lift the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport, describing it as a ‘critical decision for the future of Irish-Canadian business relations and foreign direct investment.’

The ICBA represents 100 members doing business between Ireland and Canada, the core of which are Canadian companies with operations in Ireland. As such, the organisation has been vocal in its advocacy for removing the cap, warning that it poses a serious threat to Ireland’s attractiveness as a European base for Canadian companies, with the potential to force airlines to reduce transatlantic routes and redirect investment to competitor European cities with better connectivity.

Canada-Ireland Business Relationship by Numbers:

  • Canadian direct investment in Ireland now stands at €5.2 billion and Irish investment in Canada at €3.6bn.
  • Over 75 Canadian operational companies in Ireland directly employ approximately 15,000 people
  • An estimated 7,000 of these employees come from ‘IDA companies’ and potentially support an additional 5,600 jobs
  • Total jobs in Ireland resulting from Canadian Direct Inward Investment exceed 20,000

According to ICBA Chair Dr Deirdre Giblin:

“Today’s decision removes a significant barrier to growth that has been hampering Ireland’s competitiveness and threatening our position as Canada’s gateway to Europe. The passenger cap was not just a planning issue – it was a fundamental threat to the several billion in Canadian investment in Ireland and 20,000 jobs that depend on seamless connectivity between our two countries.

Ireland’s connectivity with Canada has been a cornerstone of our business relationship. Direct flights between Toronto and Dublin have evolved from summer-only routes to year-round services operating at near-full capacity. There is growing demand from our business community for year-round services to Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax. Lifting the cap creates the conditions for airlines to expand these vital routes rather than reduce them.

Canadian companies choose Ireland not only for our shared language, culture and heritage, but for our accessibility to European markets. Without the frequent connectivity that an uncapped airport can facilitate, these advantages diminish. European competitor cities have been watching closely, ready to position themselves as alternative gateways if Ireland’s connectivity faltered.

Today’s decision by Cabinet is not just about airport infrastructure, it’s about Ireland’s economic future and our commitment to remaining an attractive destination for international investment. The ICBA commends Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and the Government for taking decisive action to remove this impediment to growth. We look forward to the swift passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas and to a future of strengthened Ireland-Canada business relations built on world-class connectivity.”