Dublin Airport ‘outperformed' financial forecasts since 2022, says watchdog
has largely outperformed the aviation watchdog's financial expectations since 2022, but has undershot its capital expenditure forecasts due to planning delays, according to the
Irish Aviation Authority
(IAA).
On Tuesday, the regulator opened a two-month public consultation that will inform its decision on the new maximum charge that airlines will have to pay to operate at Dublin Airport, which is operated by State-owned
DAA
.
It comes in advance of the watchdog's decision, due next year, on the new maximum level of airport charges for the following four years, beginning on January 1st, 2027.
Since the last determination was made in 2022, Dublin Airport has 'markedly outperformed' forecast commercial revenues, largely due to stronger-than-expected passenger growth, the IAA said.
READ MORE
The watchdog had forecast traffic to reach 31.7 million in 2023 and 33.6 million in 2024. However, some 33.5 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in 2023, followed by 34.6 million in 2024.
[
DAA lands near €300m profit despite passenger cap limitations
Opens in new window
]
The IAA said it will have to consider what methodologies and data sources it uses to forecast future traffic in advance of the 2026 decision on airport charges.
However, the watchdog said that Dublin Airport's capital expenditure has been 'well below' the forecast it made in 2022. This is due to certain 'capacity-enhancing and passenger experience-related projects' being 'held up in the planning process' as part of the airport's infrastructure application.
It will be the first time that the IAA has made this determination after the Commission for Aviation Regulation, which previously had responsibility for the decision, was merged into the IAA in 2023.
The watchdog said that the 'key objective' of the decision on a new maximum airport charge 'will be to promote and protect the interests of current and future airport users'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
7 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Tax take to end of July up 7.5% on same time last year
The amount of tax collected by the State between January and the end of July was up by 7.5% on the same time last year, when once off payments related to the Apple tax ruling are excluded. The latest Exchequer Returns show that so far this year, €56.2bn in tax receipts were collected, an increase of €3.9bn on the first seven months of 2024. All the major tax categories recorded growth last month, reflecting strong economic growth despite the concerns over the impact of tariffs. When the once-off tax receipts arising from the Court of Justice of the European Union on the Apple tax are excluded, the tax revenue so far this year stands at €58bn, which is €5.6bn or 10.8% higher than the end of July 2024. €20.3bn of the total came from income tax, which was 3.9% higher than what was collected in the first seven months of last year. July is not a key month for corporation tax, but excluding the Apple payment, corporation tax take for the year to date is well ahead of last year, up by 14.1% to €14.3bn. The figure represents an increase of €1.8bn on the number at the end of July 2024. July is an important month for VAT returns. The latest Exchequer Returns show receipts of €3.3bn were collected last month, €46m or 1.4% ahead of the same month last year. It takes the total VAT revenue for the year so far to €14.8bn, which is €0.7bn or 4.8% up on 2024. Total gross voted expenditure to the end-July amounted to €60.5bn, which is €4.8bn or 8.6% ahead of the same period last year. The spending is €0.3bn or 0.6% ahead of projections.
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Shock WhatsApp block bans 6.8 MILLION people from app – exact rules you must never break to avoid same fate
See the rules every user must obey below WHAT'S 'APPENED? Shock WhatsApp block bans 6.8 MILLION people from app – exact rules you must never break to avoid same fate WHATSAPP has revealed its taken down 6.8million accounts in a huge crackdown on serious misuse. The Meta-owned messaging app said the banned accounts were linked to criminal scam centres targeting people across the world. 1 WhatsApp has worked with ChatGPT to disrupt one criminal scam gang Credit: Getty Many were tied to forced labour and run by organised crime gangs primarily situated in Southeast Asia, the firm claims. The 6.8million accounts in question were all banned in the first six months of 2025. "Based on our investigative insights into the latest enforcement efforts, we proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centers were able to operationalize them," the social networking giant said. "These scam centers typically run many scam campaigns at once – from cryptocurrency investments to pyramid schemes. "There is always a catch and it should be a red flag for everyone: you have to pay upfront to get promised returns or earnings." Meta notes one example where it worked with ChatGPT owner OpenAI to disrupt a criminal scam being run out of Cambodia. These tempted people with cash for liking social media posts to promote a fake rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme. It comes as a new group messaging safety overview is rolled out to users from today. This shows users key information when added to a group by someone not in their contacts. Meta has three tips to help individuals avoid being scammed on WhatsApp. WhatsApp reveals exacty how to block one of your contacts Pause Take time before you respond. Take time before you respond. Question : Question whether what's being asked makes sense and whether it's too good to be true. : Question whether what's being asked makes sense and whether it's too good to be true. Verify: If they're claiming to be a friend or family member, make sure that they are who they say they are by contacting that friend directly. "It's positive that WhatsApp has shut down 6.8 million accounts linked to scammers so far this year, but Meta must do much more to stop these criminals across all its platforms," said Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert. "In 2023 alone, £341 million was lost to authorised push payment fraudsters - over half of those scams were reported as originating on Meta platforms. "For far too long, Meta has allowed scammers to run rampant across its platforms. "Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users are being inundated with fraudulent ads for everything from fake investment opportunities to dodgy products and non-existent job offers. 'Meta needs to ensure that scams are prevented from ever appearing on its platforms in the first place."
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Revenue writes to 70,000 pensioners over incorrect tax payments
The Revenue Commissioners has written to almost 70,000 pensioners over issues relating to incorrect tax payments. The retirees are among around 260,000 taxpayers who may have overpaid or underpaid tax for the year 2022. Revenue said the group includes about 68,000 people aged over 65, but it insisted it has not launched a campaign specifically aimed at pensioners. The correspondence outlines the steps which taxpayers should take to review their Preliminary End of Year Statement and file an income tax return. It said the vast majority of people, including most pensioners, pay the right amount of tax automatically through the PAYE system. "But where there are other income sources, such as a Department of Social Protection payment or private income, Revenue may need to adjust tax credits to reflect that." The Department of Social Protection does not take any tax from social welfare payments before they are paid out, as they are made gross to the recipient. It means that in cases where a person receives a social welfare payment, such as the State pension, and that person has another source of income, such as an occupational pension, they may owe tax. Pensioners whose sole income comes from the State pension are not impacted. Revenue said the correspondence outlines the steps which taxpayers should take and it said any underpayments are not due immediately and are usually collected gradually over four years. "The letters are not a demand, but part of our regular efforts to help people check if they have paid the right amount of tax, or if they are due a refund." "Any letters issued are data driven, proportionate, and accompanied by assistance channels." Revenue also said where there is an underpayment, taxpayers are "not required to make any immediate payment." "Instead, any underpayment will be collected through a reduction of tax credits in future years." The sums of money involved have not been disclosed.
