Dublin Airport Seeks Planning Permission for Capacity Increase to Accommodate 40 Million Passengers
Fingal County Council has confirmed that it has received a planning application from the operator of Dublin Airport, the DAA (Dublin Airport Authority), to increase the airport’s capacity from 32 million to 40 million passengers per year. The application, which spans over 7,000 pages and includes 700 drawings, is of significant scale and complexity, according to the council.
The proposed expansion involves various improvements and upgrades to the airport infrastructure. One of the key elements is the expansion of the north and south aprons of the airport. This expansion will provide more space for aircraft parking and manoeuvring. The airport operator also plans to redesign the existing ground transport centre to enhance transport links with the city centre. This includes the provision of 41 bus stands and upgrades to several junctions to improve traffic flow for public transport around the airport.
In addition, the DAA aims to create an additional 2,000 long-term parking spaces by extending the existing red express long-term car park located next to the M1 motorway. This will help meet the increasing demand for long-term parking at the airport.
To accommodate the anticipated growth, the DAA also plans to reconfigure the security area in Terminal 1. The current security area will be relocated to an enlarged mezzanine space, allowing for the expansion of the existing check-in area. The larger security area will also be equipped with new technology to eliminate the need for passengers to remove liquids from their bags.
The planning application is currently undergoing validation by the Fingal County Council, which is expected to take three working days. Once validated, the proposals will be made available for public viewing on the council’s planning portal website. Physical copies will also be accessible at the council’s offices in Swords. Interested parties, including local residents, will have the opportunity to submit their comments and concerns regarding the proposal until January 29th.
The council stressed that the application will be assessed in accordance with the Fingal Development Plan and the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan. Additionally, the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA), as the regulator of aircraft noise, will also evaluate the application.
The DAA has described the planning application as outlining the future of Ireland’s national airport and emphasizing its importance as a vital economic enabler. The continued development and expansion of the airport are seen as crucial to meet the growing demand for tourism, trade, investment, and job creation, as recognized and required by government policy.
Dublin Airport’s current passenger capacity is limited to 32 million passengers per year. However, with population growth and the expected increase in air travel, the airport needs to expand its capacity to accommodate more passengers. The DAA believes that increasing the airport’s capacity to 40 million passengers annually is necessary to meet these future demands.
In conclusion, Dublin Airport has submitted a planning application to Fingal County Council seeking permission to increase its capacity from 32 million to 40 million passengers per year. The proposed expansion includes improvements to the airport’s infrastructure, such as the expansion of aprons, enhanced transport links, additional long-term parking spaces, and an enlarged security area. The application is currently being validated, and interested parties have the opportunity to submit their comments before January 29th. The DAA sees the expansion as essential to meet the growing demand for air travel and to support Ireland’s economic development.
