Ryanair warns Dublin flight prices will be higher this Christmas

Ryanair NASDAQ:RYAAY) has warned travelers that it expects higher prices in and out of Dublin airport this winter, amid a row with the Irish authorities.

It comes as Dublin airport is now near its capacity according to historical planning legislation in Ireland, which limits footfall through the airport to 32 million passengers per year.

Ryanair, the Dublin headquartered budget airline, claims it would now be unable to operate 1 million seats worth of flights in peak periods – including the Christmas period, St Patrick’s Day, and, during major sporting events (like the Six Nations Rugby).

Specifically, Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson reckoned the cost of single one-way flights between London and Dublin could reach €500 over this year’s Christmas period.

"Prices are going to go through the roof," Wilson said in comments, quoted by Irish media outlets.

Wilson has urged Transport Minister Eamon Ryan – who is also leader of Ireland’s Green party - to intervene and increase the passenger cap.

Last year, Dublin airport approached the limit with over 31.9 million passengers, and, now for the ‘winter season’ a passenger cap of 14.4 million has been imposed.

Ryanair claimed it had planned to increase its Dublin passenger numbers by 9% this winter, with additional routes and more flights, but because of the cap it said it only received slots for 6.4 million passengers.

Dublin’s airport operator, DAA, has applied for planning permission to expand capacity to 40 million passengers annually, and, according to reports, it also seeks an interim increase to 35-36 million without adding new infrastructure to the airport.