Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if private jet passengers are included in the passenger numbers for 2023 published by Dublin Airport; if he supports reducing the number of private jets using the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6734/24]
View answerAs the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the operation, management and development of Dublin Airport.
I am advised by daa that the most recent available data shows that there were 7,842 General Aviation movements, including private jets, at Dublin Airport in 2023. This number of movements was over 10% less than in 2022 when there were 8,787 movements. In terms of a percentage of passenger numbers, general aviation constituted 0.052% of the passengers at Dublin Airport last year.
While I understand that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of private jets using the airport, the environmental impact of private jets was discussed at the EU Council of Transport Ministers meeting in June last year. At that time, I joined other EU Member States in calling on the Commission to consider measures to address the environmental impact of this sector, as aviation is inherently international and such measures are therefore best addressed in an international context.
