DAA Launches Search for New Chief Executive at €374,000 Salary as Dublin Airport Capacity Debate Continues
The Dublin Airport Authority has formally launched a search for a new permanent chief executive, advertising the role at a salary of €374,000 per year through executive search firm Odgers — a recruitment process that comes at a pivotal moment for the state-owned airports operator, which is navigating a potential lifting of the controversial 32-million-passenger cap at Dublin Airport while managing significant infrastructure investment and regulatory pressures.
Background
The DAA, which manages Dublin and Cork airports, has been operating without a permanent chief executive since February 2026, when Kenny Jacobs stepped down following the settlement of a legal dispute with the board. Jacobs had been a controversial figure during his tenure, overseeing a period of significant growth at Dublin Airport but also presiding over a series of operational difficulties, including the chaotic scenes at the airport in the summer of 2022 when thousands of passengers missed flights due to staffing shortages.
Since Jacobs's departure, deputy CEO Nick Cole — who also serves as CEO of DAA International, the company's overseas airports management division — has been carrying out the chief executive's responsibilities on an interim basis. Cole's dual role has been seen as a temporary arrangement, and the board has been under pressure to appoint a permanent successor who can provide clear strategic leadership during a period of significant change for the organisation.
The DAA's governance has also undergone significant change in 2026. Gary Owens was appointed as the new chairperson in June, succeeding Basil Geoghegan, and four new board members — Fred Barry, Laura Burke, Lisa Dillon, and Niamh O'Regan — were appointed by the Minister for Transport in July. The new board is expected to play an active role in the CEO recruitment process and in shaping the organisation's strategic direction.
Key Developments
The CEO search was formally launched on 31 July 2026, with the role advertised at a salary of €374,000 per year. The recruitment process is being managed by Odgers, one of the leading executive search firms in Ireland and the UK. The DAA has indicated that it is seeking a candidate with significant experience in aviation, infrastructure management, or a related sector, and with the leadership skills to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation through a period of significant change.
The new CEO will inherit a number of significant challenges and opportunities. The most immediate is the potential lifting of the 32-million-passenger-per-year cap at Dublin Airport, which has been a source of controversy since it was introduced by An Bord Pleanála in 2007. Legislation has been passed to allow the Minister for Transport to amend or remove the cap, and the new CEO will need to manage the complex planning, regulatory, and community relations dimensions of any expansion.
The Irish Aviation Authority has also issued a draft determination regarding airport price caps for 2027 to 2031, which includes a proposed reduction in passenger charges. The DAA has expressed disappointment with this proposal, arguing that it could hinder the company's ability to fund necessary infrastructure investments and maintain service quality. The new CEO will need to engage actively with the IAA and other regulators to ensure that the DAA's investment plans are adequately funded.
Why It Matters
The appointment of a new DAA chief executive is one of the most significant leadership decisions in Irish business in 2026. Dublin Airport is the country's primary international gateway, handling the vast majority of Ireland's air passenger traffic and playing a central role in the country's economic connectivity. The decisions made by the new CEO about capacity, investment, and service quality will affect millions of Irish passengers, thousands of airport workers, and the broader Irish economy. The role is also politically sensitive — Dublin Airport's expansion plans have been the subject of intense debate between those who prioritise economic growth and connectivity and those who are concerned about noise, emissions, and the impact on local communities in Fingal.
Local Impact
For the communities surrounding Dublin Airport — particularly in Fingal, where the airport's expansion plans have been most contentious — the appointment of a new CEO will be closely watched. Local residents and community groups have been vocal in their opposition to further expansion, citing concerns about noise pollution, air quality, and the impact on local infrastructure. The new CEO will need to engage constructively with these communities if the DAA is to secure the planning permissions and regulatory approvals needed for its investment plans. For the airport's 16,000 direct employees and the tens of thousands of workers in related industries, the appointment of a strong and experienced leader is a priority, as the organisation continues to recover from the operational difficulties of the post-pandemic period.
What's Next
The CEO recruitment process is expected to take several months, with a shortlist of candidates expected to be presented to the board in the autumn. The new CEO is expected to be in post by the end of 2026 or early 2027. In the meantime, Nick Cole will continue to serve as interim chief executive, with the support of the newly constituted board. The DAA's next major regulatory milestone is the IAA's final determination on airport charges for 2027 to 2031, which is expected to be published in the autumn and will set the financial framework for the organisation's investment plans over the next five years.
