Airport authority applies to extend terminal

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has applied to Fingal County Council for planning permission for a €50 million expansion of its existing terminal.

The 7,500sq m extension is essential to cope with the increasing congestion at the airport, the DAA said, even though it intends to have completed its second terminal, which is currently on appeal to An Bord Pleanála, by 2009.

It is envisaged that the Terminal 1 extension, which is due to be opened on a phased basis from early 2008, will be built at the northwestern corner of the terminal and will provide additional space for passengers, check-in desks, and additional retail, cafe and restaurant facilities.

The plans submitted to the council are for a two-storey triangular-shaped building with an intermediate mezzanine floor. The extension will sit on a number of concrete columns above ground level so that the apron area below the building can be retained for use by ground handlers and other aviation-related services.

Under the DAA's €2 billion 10-year capital works programme, Aer Lingus will move to the new 75,000sq m Terminal 2 and Ryanair will stay at Terminal 1. After 2009 the DAA envisages the bulk of passengers using Terminal 1 will be flying with Ryanair.

Speaking about the extension, DAA chief executive Declan Collier said it would "provide much needed extra space for customers".

Meanwhile, the airport is due to receive its 20 millionth passenger this year at about noon today. This is the first time the airport will have exceeded 20 million passengers in one year. The passenger will be presented with a holiday voucher for €3,000.