Earnings slip to 161m at DAA in first-half as it invests in airport facilities

""Dublin Airport's charges remain among the lowest of major European airports, which is increasingly unsustainable given these pressures and the significant operational and capital investment needed to deliver the standard expected of Ireland's national gateway and maintain quality across Dublin and Cork," according to DAA chief financial officer Peter Dunne. He added: "As we approach the next regulatory determination, a fair price outcome will be critical to protecting service, resilience and connectivity for passengers and the wider economy.""

"The DAA has been gripped by boardroom turmoil, with a deal already having been hammered out that could see chief executive Kenny Jacobs leave his role in January with a €1m package. However, that agreement has yet to be put before Transport Minister Darrah O'Brien and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers for sign off."

"A passenger cap at Dublin Airport is effectively paused until legal challenges in relation to efforts by the Irish Aviation Authority to ensure the cap is adhered to are heard in Europe. The government is also now drafting legislation to have the cap removed. The cap limits the number of passengers that can travel through Dublin Airport to 32 million a year. The airport is on track to handle about 36 million this year."

Revenue at the semi-state DAA rose 6% to €536.1m in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, with total passengers up 4% to 18.6 million. Dublin Airport handled just under 17 million passengers in the period, a 2.7% year-on-year increase. The DAA faces boardroom turmoil with a potential agreement that could see chief executive Kenny Jacobs depart in January with a €1m package pending government sign-off. The DAA warned that a fair outcome in the Irish Aviation Authority's 2027–2031 passenger charges determination is critical. A passenger cap remains effectively paused amid legal challenges while legislation to remove the 32 million limit is being drafted. Ebitda slipped from the prior period.

Read at Irish Independent