Irish travel sector warns of summer grid-lock as EU biometric border checks expand
Government extends Travel Confirmation Notice, letting non-EEA residents with expired IRP cards fly until 28 February
Record January traffic at Dublin Airport revives calls to scrap 32-million passenger cap
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2,200 flights delayed across Europe; Ryanair and Irish travellers caught in continent-wide disruption
Severe weather and staffing issues caused more than 2,200 flight delays across Europe on 5 February, with Irish passengers and Ryanair particularly affected. Although only a few Dublin flights were cancelled, average delays exceeded 50 minutes, disrupting business trips and time-critical cargo. The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Europe’s air-traffic system and the need for robust corporate travel contingencies.
Ireland Extends Travel Confirmation Notice, Letting Non-EEA Residents Fly on Recently-Expired IRP Cards Until 28 February
ISD has prolonged the Travel Confirmation Notice until 28 February 2026, allowing non-EEA residents with expired IRP cards to travel if they filed a timely renewal. The move eases pressure on assignees, students and family members affected by registration backlogs but requires strict document checks at departure and return. Employers should audit travel plans now to avoid workers being stranded after the cut-off date.
Dublin Airport Cracks Europe’s Top-25 List After Record 36.4 Million Passengers and Tech Overhaul
A new industry survey places Dublin Airport 24th among Europe’s top 50 airports after a record-breaking 36.4 million passengers in 2025. Security-speeding CT scanners, biometric pilots and a solar-powered sustainability push underpin the rise, offering faster, greener journeys for business travellers. Yet passenger-cap politics and infrastructure strain mean companies should keep a close eye on summer slot allocations.