DAA profits rose by 39% in 2006

Profits at Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) were €69.5 million for 2006 in what was an increase of 39 per cent compared with the profits recorded the previous year.

After exceptional items - the sale of the Great Southern Hotels Group and its shareholding in Hamburg - profits for the year were €166 million.

Overall passenger numbers at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports rose by 14 per cent last year to 27.8 million, the DAA said. Passenger numbers at Dublin airport climbed by 2.7 million to 21.2 million.

However, the DAA warned that unless An Bord Pleanála issued a planning decision on the second terminal by the end of this month the DAA will be unable to meet its target of having the facility operational before the end of 2009.

Gary McGann, DAA chairman said: ""The DAA fully appreciates An Bord Pleanála's very heavy work load and the care it has taken in processing the T2 planning appeal to date.

"However, the company had expected an outcome to the appeals process within six to eight months of obtaining planning permission last October. We must hope, given An Bord Pleanála's many commitments, it is in a position to prioritise its deliberations on T2 - given Dublin aport's strategic importance for millions of passengers and the overall economy."

He said 70 per cent of the DAA's first-phase, €1.2 billion investment programme at the airport is either under construction or at the planning stages and that Pier D will open this autumn.

Mr Mc Gann said the DAA was talking to the Commission for Aviation Regulation about an increase in airport charges.

Three weeks ago the aviation regulator, Cathal Guiomard, decided the current average passenger charge of €6.34 should remain unchanged until the end of 2009. The DAA had wanted to increase charges at the terminal to an average of €7.50 to fund construction of the terminal.

The decision would leave the DAA having to borrow about €1 billion to fund the construction.

Shannon and Cork airports achieved record passenger volumes last year, each rising by just over 10 per cent to 3.6 million and 3 million respectively.

Group EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation) rose by €34 million to €145 million.