The Infrastructure Application (IA) seeks to plan a number of significant investments to facilitate the projected growth of passenger numbers through Dublin Airport.

daa will shortly make a formal application for planning permission for the Infrastructure Application (IA). Preparation of the supporting plans and environmental assessments are ongoing by the relevant experts. In advance of the plans being finalised, we are providing interested members of the public an early opportunity to see some of our plans.

The public will have an opportunity to formally engage in the planning process when the planning application is submitted.  At that time the public will have full access to all project details and documentation submitted as part of the planning submission.

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Check out our Infrastructure Application (IA) Virtual Information Room where you can find out more about our plans.

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About the Infrastructure Application (IA)

Dublin Airport is Ireland’s principal international transport gateway for trade, inward investment and tourism. As an island nation, our connections with the world are vital for our economic prospects.

daa has been mandated by the Government to grow Ireland’s international connectivity in line with national, regional and local policy. This requires us to improve our infrastructure to meet demand, enhance airport access and capacity while ensuring the provision of an improved level of passenger experience.

The permitted combined passenger capacity for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is currently 32 million passengers per annum (mppa).  An increase in passenger capacity to 40mppa is required in order to meet forecasted demand.  In line with Government policy, daa is planning a number of significant investments to facilitate the projected growth of passenger numbers through the airport from 32mppa to 40mppa. This is an opportunity for daa to ensure Dublin Airport can develop as a leading European and transatlantic hub.

There are a number of infrastructure investments required. The majority of development will take place on the footprint of the existing airport. Along with new airport buildings, this work also includes enhancements of some current infrastructure, enabling existing facilities to be used in a more efficient, sustainable way. These enhancements will create more space within terminals and help to maintain a safe and efficient airfield.  Link to  Summary of planned investments below

What will be the key outcomes of the investment plans?

The Infrastructure Application is a key design and construction component of the Capital Investment Programme (CIP) which will facilitate the further growth of Dublin Airport and increase terminal capacity.  The permitted combined passenger capacity for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is currently 32 million passengers per annum (mppa).

An increase in passenger capacity to 40mppa is required in order to meet forecasted demand.  Strong growth in passenger demand is projected to continue in the short and medium-term. In 2022, Dublin Airport saw 28.1 million passengers through its doors. About 30.7 million people started and ended their journey at Dublin Airport in 2019, while almost 2.2 million passengers used the airport as a hub, reflecting the growth of the airports hub role in line with national policy.

Dublin Airport provides international connectivity on a range and scale that cannot be replicated by other airports in Ireland. This is because much of the demand is in and around Dublin – of the 5.1 million people living in Ireland, 2.1 million (41%) live in Greater Dublin; and because Dublin Airport is Ireland’s only hub airport, meaning it is the only airport capable of supporting a much higher level of connectivity by pooling both point-to-point traffic and transfer traffic.  The National Aviation Policy for Ireland, 2015 prescribes growth for Dublin Airport generally and provides that Dublin Airport should be promoted as a secondary hub, operating to global markets. Transfer operations underpin the viability of routes and frequencies, particularly during quiet periods of the year meaning growth in transfer traffic is critical to achieving both high-quality connectivity (as required by the NPF) and continuity of services across the year.

Dublin Airport prioritises improving the service standards across the campus and targets an effortless travel experience where every journey is defined by ease and efficiency. We seek to improve standards through a range of initiatives to create a stress-free journey through the airport for our passengers. The reorientation of existing spaces and introduction of new passenger facilities and consumer offerings will improve the airport environment.
All of our projects will go through a sustainability design phase, ensuring we stay on track to achieve our carbon reduction targets. Any new buildings will meet or go beyond NZEB (Nearly Zero-Emission Building) requirements. All new aircraft stands will have Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP) instead of diesel run generators as we transition towards a cleaner, sustainable airfield.

What are the benefits of the Infrastructure Application (IA)?

ia benefits

What are the proposed areas for investment at Dublin Airport?

See map of our plans at Dublin Airport below.

ia map plans

Summary of planned investments

Terminals & Piers

Pier 1 in the north of the airport principally serves airlines providing access to Europe. Since its development in 2007, demand for this Pier has grown significantly. It is now proposed to expand the pier and associated apron eastwards to accommodate an additional six aircraft.
The existing security area within Terminal 1 will be re-located to an enlarged T1 mezzanine area facilitating the provision of increased security screening capacity. This enlarged mezzanine will be achieved through the extension of the existing mezzanine to the full width of the terminal. Moving security to the mezzanine moves security from its current location creating space for an expansion of the Terminal 1 check-in area and passenger services including additional ancillary services such as food, beverage, and commercial offerings.
The existing South Apron serves Terminal 2, a hub for long-haul and US Customs & Border Protection (C&BP) for pre-cleared passengers. This area will be expanded to include a new pier which will facilitate three long haul aircraft, a relocated pre-boarding zone and aircraft parking areas, taxiways and apron space. The project will also include development of additional screening lanes within an extended US Customs & Border Protection building and the provision of a passenger boarding zone.

Airfield

Aircraft stands are where aircraft park. As demand continues to grow there is limited opportunity for development of additional stand capacity around the existing piers and terminals on the Eastern Campus. To meet this demand, new stands are planned on the western side of the airport with associated roads, pavements and ancillary services. No piers or terminal buildings are proposed for this area. These stands will fill an existing gap in the provision of contingency and overnight stands for aircraft parking. It will also free up space to consolidate passenger operations on the Eastern Campus around our current terminals and piers.
The proposed vehicle Underpass of the Crosswind Runway is a critical project for safe and efficient operation of the airfield. The underpass is required to facilitate ongoing safe and reliable vehicle access between the remote West Aprons and the Eastern Campus. It will allow aircraft handlers and fuel transport to continue to service aircraft operations on the West Apron.
Comprehensive drainage infrastructure is required to ensure robust environmental protection and to enhance existing management of surface water and wastewater across the airfield. This investment represents a major commitment by Dublin Airport to environmental protection and sustainable growth.

Airport access & parking

The Ground Transportation Centre (GTC) is the main public transport area within Dublin Airport, located to the rear of the Terminal 1 multi-storey carpark, and inclusive of the future Metrolink station. In line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, we are working to support a shift from car use to public transport among both passengers and staff. It is proposed to improve the passengers travel experience by providing improved and safer access to public transportation.

We will consolidate the majority of customer facing busing facilities at Dublin Airport into a single location in the GTC and in as much as possible separate bus, general traffic, and pedestrian movements, to provide priority access to bus stop facilities. We will provide more bay capacity for buses to support the growth of public transport.
With an increase in passenger volume, demand for access and parking at the airport will also increase. Dublin Airport recognises that there will continue to be a need for certain user groups of Dublin Airport to access the airport by car, particularly in the transition period as increased levels of public transport are rolled out. Additional parking spaces in the Terminal 2 multi-storey car park are planned, (some of which is replacement of existing parking capacity displaced by Metro link construction).
Additional long-term passenger car parking spaces at the existing long-term parking to the east of the airport between the M1 and the R132 site. This car park will be proposed on a temporary basis, until Metro link comes into operation.
As Dublin Airport has developed, staff parking has been lost to new developments. This displacement will continue as the airport continues to develop the campus. Dublin Airport, working with Fingal County Council and the NTA, fully promotes public transport and active travel measures for all staff. To support this, it is proposed to relocate the displaced car parking away from the centre of the airport. Staff parking will be proposed to the south of the airport (under a separate planning application) and to the north of the airport (within the Infrastructure Application).

Does the planning process allow for public consultation and how can I contribute my opinion on your proposals?

daa is providing members of the public, interested groups and individuals with as much information on the IA as is now currently available.  When our planning submission is lodged through the formal statutory planning process all interested parties will be able to make observations regarding our proposals to Fingal County Council (FCC) during the specified submission period.

How are daa engaging with the community?

Throughout the lifespan of the Infrastructure Application, we will provide updates on the project on this web page. daa is committed to engaging in open, honest and genuine conversations with our neighbours. We want to make sure that communities are equipped with all the information they need about our Infrastructure Application.

daa understands that a balance needs to be achieved between operating an international airport and the needs of our local communities. This is why we have a long record of engaging with our neighbours about the issues that are of importance to them. In addition to one-to-one meetings and home visits, daa also regularly meets with our local communities via the independently chaired Community Liaison Group and Dublin Airport Environmental Working Group. 

Dublin Airport’s €10 million Community Fund supports local initiatives that focus on environment and sustainability, sports and recreation, social inclusion and community development, health and well-being, and culture and heritage. To date, over 500 local initiatives have received over €2m support from the Fund. This important support and collaboration recognise the role that our communities play in the success of Dublin Airport.

What are the timelines on delivering the Infrastructure Application?

The duration of construction is to be phased across 10 to 15 years. Every effort will be made to maximise opportunities to manage the timing of potential impacts to limit their overall effects. As further detail becomes available on how and when construction delivery will be rolled out, it will be made available to the community and wider public. 

When is it anticipated construction will commence? 

Planning permission is required for the proposed infrastructure upgrades at the airport, construction cannot commence until permission is granted. Subject to permission being granted it is anticipated that works will commence in late 2024. 

 

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