Ryanair is urging passengers to book their Christmas flights soon

The airline said costs are increasing because there is less availability on flights.

They claimed the 32m passengers traffic cap is restricting Ryanair from scheduling more flights.

The cap was introduced in 2007 amid concerns that road access at Dublin Airport would be congested when Dublin reached 32m passengers.

"No such congestion has arisen, despite the fact that Dublin’s traffic is over 32m passengers. Ireland’s failing Transport Minister Eamon Ryan refuses to act to scrap this outdated and irrelevant traffic cap," the airline's spokesperson said.

Ryanair has warned the public that flights, especially to/from London, will continue to rise as we get closer to Christmas.

"Ryanair and other Dublin airlines have been prevented from adding extra flights to Dublin this year, due to this 32m traffic cap.

"Availability of Ryanair’s lowest fares from London to Dublin is running out quickly because Ryanair has not been given the slots to run its traditional 270,000 extra seats to/from Dublin.

"Instead, Ryanair will run an extra 50,000 seats from London to Belfast and many Dublin-bound passengers this year will be flying home for Christmas via Belfast because Eamon Ryan, Ireland’s Transport Minister, won’t act to scrap this cap."

Michael O'Leary says people should book flights as soon as possible

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

"We urge passengers intending to travel home to Dublin for Christmas to book their flights early as cheap seats are selling out quickly."

O'Leary said airfares to Dublin this Christmas will hit €500 one-way as Christmas approaches.

Passengers intending to travel home to family at Christmas should book their travel early to avoid disappointed.

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