For a small and very open island economy, airports are vital to the functioning of this place. Dublin airport is the most important access point in the country and is facing an order to curb flights after 10pm and before 7 am. Ryanair believes this could lead to major routes being cancelled and the DAA is appealing the decision by Fingal County Council to the courts.

But what does this tell us about the economics of running an airport? One person who knows more than most of us is Dr. Cathal Guiomard from Dublin City University Business School has co-authored a new book -called Airport Economics.