Move to close Dublin Airport’s new runway from 12am to 6am to limit noise

Regulators want to close Dublin Airport’s new runway nightly from midnight to 6am to limit noise.

The Airport Noise Competent Authority will publish a draft ruling today – Thursday – offering locals living close to the gateway up to €20,000 to pay for insulation and potentially limiting night-time aircraft movements.

According to authority director Ethna Felten the body proposes barring aircraft from taking off from, or landing on, the airport’s new north runway from midnight to 6am once it opens next year.

Last year, the airport operator, State company DAA, also proposed closing the new airstrip between those hours, once flights could continue on its other runways.

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Planning conditions for the new runway, imposed in 2007, limit flights between 11pm and 7am to 65 in total across all of the airport from the date on which the new runway opens.

Before Covid-19 hit air travel, there were more than 100 flights in or out of Dublin between 11pm and 7am.

The noise authority is seeking a response from all interested parties over the next 14 weeks.

Louder aircraft

Those views will inform its final decision, which Ms Felten confirmed would be binding on planners considering DAA’s appeal against the original conditions.

The authority intends imposing a night-time noise quota on Dublin designed to restrict flights by louder aircraft.

James Trow, its engineer, explained that this was not about the number or type of aircraft. “It’s about the noise that they make,” he said.

The airport will be subject to longer-term “abatement objectives” meant to halve noise by 2040.

“Our recommendations focus on limiting and reducing the impacts of night-time aircraft noise at Dublin Airport and will guide future decisions regarding aircraft noise management at Dublin,” said Ms Felten.

A DAA spokesman said the company noted the authority’s draft regulatory decision and would consider it in coming weeks.

Ms Felten urged participation in the consultation saying the final decision would affect locals, business and everyone using the airport.