Ireland’s aviation regulator has approved a 46 % jump in night-time movements at Dublin Airport, allowing up to 95 take-offs or landings between 23:00 and 07:00 and extending use of the north runway until midnight and from 06:00.
Dublin Airport Authority (daa) argues the change, announced on 4 December, is essential to preserve Ireland’s hub connectivity as trans-Atlantic carriers up-gauge aircraft and Asian airlines eye early-morning slots. The airport handled 31 million passengers in 2024 and forecasts record demand of 34 million in 2026.
![Night-flight cap at Dublin Airport raised from 65 to 95 departures, sparking residents’ backlash]()
Local community groups branded the decision “reckless”, saying it will expose thousands to extra noise and pollution. St Margaret’s The Ward Residents Group noted that alternative routing over unpopulated solar-farm land was dismissed. An Bord Pleanála is reviewing whether further environmental mitigation is required.
For global-mobility teams, the expanded slot capacity could improve connection reliability for red-eye corporate travellers, but any subsequent legal challenge might inject scheduling uncertainty. Companies housing expatriates near the flight path may also face new duty-of-care questions around sleep disruption.
Dublin Airport Authority (daa) argues the change, announced on 4 December, is essential to preserve Ireland’s hub connectivity as trans-Atlantic carriers up-gauge aircraft and Asian airlines eye early-morning slots. The airport handled 31 million passengers in 2024 and forecasts record demand of 34 million in 2026.
Local community groups branded the decision “reckless”, saying it will expose thousands to extra noise and pollution. St Margaret’s The Ward Residents Group noted that alternative routing over unpopulated solar-farm land was dismissed. An Bord Pleanála is reviewing whether further environmental mitigation is required.
For global-mobility teams, the expanded slot capacity could improve connection reliability for red-eye corporate travellers, but any subsequent legal challenge might inject scheduling uncertainty. Companies housing expatriates near the flight path may also face new duty-of-care questions around sleep disruption.
