Ryanair 'not consulted properly' on proposals for terminal

Plans for a new €200 million passenger terminal at Dublin airport ran into obstacles last night when Ryanair and the aviation regulator claimed they had not been properly informed of the proposals.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) yesterday outlined plans to build a terminal to the south of the existing facilities for €200 million, although it said the price could fall to €170 million depending on the design specification. The new terminal will be operational in late 2009, although a new Pier D facility, with additional contact stands for aircraft, will be operational by 2007.

The terminal is part of a €1.2 billion capital expenditure plan sponsored by DAA. It claims the plan will allow it to process 30 million passengers per year, from the current figure of 18 million.

However, last night businessman Ulick McEvaddy said he would press ahead with his plans to build a privately owned terminal to the west of the airport.

Ryanair, a key player in the discussions over a new terminal, claimed it had not been consulted properly over the plans. Its chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said: "It is regrettable that the DAA, having made such a monumental mess of the first terminal, now announces a second terminal without consulting with its main airline users.

"This absence of consultation is responsible for the current badly designed facilities, which force customers to endure long queues, long walks and bus journeys from overpriced car parks."

The airline released a letter showing that discussions with Pascall and Watson, the architects hired by DAA for the terminal, were continuing this week over the plans. However, the DAA denied Ryanair were not involved in the consultation process.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Commission for Aviation Regulation may not yet have received a full capital expenditure plan from DAA. Sources close to the regulator said that while a high-level briefing had been provided, detailed economic data had not been submitted to date.

Unless this problem is addressed, it will be difficult for the aviation regulator, William Prasifka, to make a determination on the terminal issue by October 1st. However, he may return to the issue in later months. All sides will be anxious to avoid any delays.

At a press conference in Dublin yesterday, the DAA chairman, Gary McGann, said unless Mr Prasifka increased passenger charges by about €2.50, the investment in the terminal would not go ahead.

On the question of who might operate the new facility, the DAA's chief executive, Declan Collier, said: "We would love to operate the new terminal". But he acknowledged that an independent body had to make this decision.

The new facility will have to obtain planning permission from Fingal County Council. A listed building, Corballis House, stands on the site for the new facility. This will have to be moved or incorporated into the new building. Mr Collier said discussions would take place with the planning authorities on this matter soon.