Dublin Airport Authority Advances Increase Annual Passenger Limit to 40 Million Annual Passenger Cap Submission; Seeks Planning Permission to Improve Connectivity and Economic Growth of Ireland.
DAA has done all it takes in an effort to increase the annual passenger handling of the airport to 40 million per year. DAA presented a comprehensive response to Fingal County Council’s Request for Further Information at its facility on November 13, 2024, one of the great milestones in planning.
The original infrastructure application, submitted in December 2023, involved the development of major infrastructure works and sustainability works at Dublin Airport. FCC issued an RFI of 85 items with 415 sub-questions in February 2024, representing the level of complexity associated with the proposed developments. DAA’s recent submission comprehensively answers all these questions, underscoring its intentions to further expand the capacity of the airport in line with national aviation policy and regional development plans.
Chief Commercial and Development Officer for DAA Vincent Harrison said this expansion has strategic importance because “Dublin Airport is Ireland’s gateway, and capacity at the airport is vital to maintain that economic growth and connectivity.”
The application for increasing the passenger’s cap to 40 million was proposed as in line with the Fingal Development Plan as well as the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan that embrace increased demand for travel as well as strengthen Ireland’s position in the global aviation scenario. The plans brought in crucial infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of North and South Aprons with Terminal 1 security improvements and upgrading airport access and parking facilities.
The need to get approval for this expansion becomes urgent as Dublin Airport nears its current passenger threshold of 32 million, a number that may be breached by the end of 2024, considering preliminary projections. DAA’s aggressive measures it has taken in resolving the numerous queries raised by FCC can be said to depict a clear intent to go ahead with the scheme and build adequate capacity to meet the needs of the future.
This RFI has become a significant milestone in planning following the submission of responses from this. Subject to FCC’s review and approval, Dublin Airport is soon to be overhauled in ways that have greater resonance for Ireland’s economic prosperity and reinforce it as an international aviation hub.
