Plans unveiled for €1.2 billion revamp of Dublin Airport

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) today announced plans for a major revamp of Dublin Airport which will include a new passenger terminal to be located south of the existing terminal building.

The new terminal is the core component of a 10-year development plan which is expected to increase capacity at the airport by up to 15 million passengers per year.

The plan - which also includes a new two-storey Pier D to be located north of the existing terminal building and a new runway - is expected to cost €1.2 billion.

The DAA said it hoped to fund the development by increasing landing charges at the airport by €2.50. The price rise is currently being considered by the aviation regulator.

The new terminal - which is expected to become operational in 2009 - will cost between €170 million and €200 million to build and will accommodate mainly long-haul routes and facilitate the onward transfer of passengers and luggage.

The authority said it plans to deliver "significant additional aircraft contact stands" by 2007 with the completion of a Pier D for which it has already secured planning.

The authority said it would soon award the contract to build Pier D and start a tender process for the design of the second terminal.

There has been no decision yet on who is to operate the second terminal but the DAA said it would tender for the job.

The 10-year programme also includes the construction of a second new pier adjoining the new terminal and the extension of the existing pier B by 2011.

The new piers will provide over 40 new wide and narrow-bodied aircraft contact stands.

The DAA said the plan will provide extensive new airfield surfaces for taxing and remote parking of aircraft.

It will also provide for a significant upgrade of the airport's road network and a new arrivals and departures kerbside and set-down space.

The DAA said the Rail Procurement Authority had been consulted in the initial planning process so as any future plans for a metro system to the airport could be facilitated.

DAA chairman Gary McGann said the plan represented a "comprehensive and swift response to the Government's decision of last May that the company should build a new passenger terminal at Dublin Airport to cater for ongoing strong growth in aviation traffic."

Mr McGann said: "The time for talking about these facilities is over, it's now time for action and delivery."

The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said "Dublin Airport needs to be equipped to serve more passengers quickly and efficiently.

Today's announcement is an important step in the delivery of new terminal capacity which will meet the needs of passengers and airlines in the most cost-efficient way," he added.

He said he would shortly bring proposals before Cabinet on the new terminal and new integrated transport links on road, rail and bus for the airport.