Dublin Airport will unveil new plan to increase passenger numbers to 50 million

Dublin Airport is set to submit a second planning application to increase its passenger limit to 50 million a year, the DAA has said.

The airport currently has a ban, but it is expected to be violated this year.

Yesterday the High Court suspended the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) order to enforce the restriction.

While the DAA welcomed the decision, CEO Kenny Jacobs said more needed to be done to ensure the airport’s long-term growth.

“Based on current forecasts, demand from airlines could reach 40 million, probably in the next three to four years,” he said. The Pat Kenny Show.

“Once we get approval for 40 million, we will soon go to Fingal (County Council) with another application, which will discuss the master plan for Dublin Airport with 50 million passengers.

“Ireland needs to improve its long-term planning; we at DAA want to improve long-term planning.

“So we won’t leave it late; we will be heading to Fingal with another application that will support Dublin Airport’s future growth.”

Passengers wait to board an early morning flight at Dublin Airport in May 2010. Photo: Peter Titmuss/Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Jacobs described the legal battle over the passenger cap as a “saga” that had gone on for far too long, but predicted the High Court ruling would not be the last time the issue ended up in court.

“This is not a final decision, this is a decision for a certain period of time that brings some relief,” he said.

“This is a 17-year saga that has gone on for far too long.

“Ultimately, I think it will be the European Court that will determine that an international treaty and EU regulation potentially takes precedence over domestic planning.

“Or we will end up getting planning approval from Fingal County Council.”

Economic growth

Mr Jacobs said the DAA was committed to the development of Dublin Airport and any future increase in flights would be benefit the Irish economy.

“We can comfortably manage 36 million passengers at Dublin Airport and there is demand from airlines there,” he said.

“All of this means jobs; all this means good communication.

“As we have said throughout this saga, we are an island nation.We really need that connection; It’s good for business, it’s good for tourism, and we need it.”

Environmentalists have expressed concern that any expansion of Dublin Airport would lead to increase carbon emissions and make it more difficult for Ireland to achieve its climate targets.

According to Our World in Data, Aviation accounts for 2.5% of the planet’s carbon dioxide emissions. – despite only 10% of the world’s population flies in a typical year.

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Main image: Dublin Airport Terminal 1. Photo: Alamy.com