Sir, – The comments from Frank Magee relating to Dublin Airport (Opinion, August 29th) did not give an accurate picture of the huge improvements that have been made at the airport over the past five years.
Dublin Airport is central to the continued development of the economic, business and tourism life of the Dublin region and the wider Irish economy. However, the historic lack of investment in this key piece of economic infrastructure meant that the airport had become chronically over-stretched and cramped.
Some critics are now arguing that investment in Terminal 2 was unnecessary, because the current demand is lower than forecast and because charges have increased to pay for the improved facilities. To complain that there is not enough business for both terminals at present misses the point of long-term infrastructural development. Terminal 2 was never built to be full from year one, and it is worth recalling that current passenger levels at Dublin are higher than in 2005, when the decision was taken to build the new terminal.
T2 was constructed because it was needed for the long-term, and it was a wholly appropriate investment to make. Ireland has a history of short-term infrastructural investments, but T2 is the exact opposite, as it has been built for decades to come.
Having new and improved facilities enables Dublin Airport to pitch for new business. As a capital city airport, Dublin has to be able to attract a range of airlines, both low cost and full service, operating to a variety of destinations.
Dublin Airport receives no taxpayer funding, but instead relies on a combination of airport charges and commercial income to operate its business. The business community and the tourism industry supported the investment programme at the airport, as it was desperately needed to both improve the passenger experience and to position the Dublin region for future expansion. Ironically, some of those who previously called for improved facilities at the airport are now criticising them.
The aviation regulator has sanctioned an increase in airport charges at Dublin to help fund the investment, but even after this increase, charges at the airport remain highly competitive. A study of European airport charges in 2010 by consultants RDC Aviation found “the lowest passenger charges can be found at Dublin, Cologne, and at airports in Spain, as they were in 2009”.
The investment in improved passenger facilities has delivered a much better product, contrary to your contributor’s view. This has been independently validated, as Dublin is now ranked seventh out of 27 peer European airports in terms of its service offering, whereas five years ago it was second last. – Yours, etc,