Ryanair clashes with DAA over €5.6bn airport expansion plan

The Irish Times
Barry O'Halloran
11 May 2026

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary clashed with airports operator DAA on Monday over the State company’s €5.6-billion plan to expand Dublin Airport.

DAA recently set out plans to expand Ireland’s biggest airport between next year and 2031, allowing it to handle around 45 million passengers a year, from 36.4 million in 2025.

However, O’Leary branded the €5.6-billion bill for the work a “waste” and “regulatory gaming of the worst kind”, claiming it would double what Dublin charges airlines for passengers to €40 per person.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien “should tackle this by sacking the board of the DAA”, said O’Leary...

Ryanair clashes with DAA over €5.6bn airport expansion plan – The Irish Times - 11 May 2026