TERMINAL CONFLICT/Aer Rianta v Ryanair: Plans for an independent terminal at Dublin Airport could affect the building of Pier D, writes Frank McDonald, Environment Editor
Ryanair is considering seeking a judicial review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to give Aer Rianta permission to build a new landing facility at Dublin Airport.
The new pier may never be built because the selected site might conflict with plans for an independent passenger terminal at the airport.
As proposed by Aer Rianta, the €70 million Pier D adjoining the original terminal building would occupy the site suggested by Ryanair as the most logical location for a second terminal to cater for "fast turnaround" air traffic.
Ryanair expressed regret yesterday at An Bord Pleanála's decision on Pier D. "This is a building that no one wants - it is nothing but a 'gold-plated palace', which the airline customers, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, have already objected to as being wasteful and unnecessary."
Saying that it would consider seeking a judicial review, it called on the Government to proceed instead with a new terminal.
"Aer Rianta's proposed Pier D is a blatant and profligate attempt to block the proposed site for the second terminal and should not be allowed to proceed."
While accepting that the airport is under pressure, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, has indicated that Aer Rianta should not enter into an irrevocable contract for the new pier until the tender process for the second terminal has been concluded.
Ryanair would be one of the frontrunners for the franchise to build and operate this terminal. However, its proposal for a new terminal and Aer Rianta's Pier D plan are clearly mutually exclusive options; only one or the other can be implemented.
Welcoming An Bord Pleanála's decision, Aer Rianta said the new pier was "urgently needed" given that passenger numbers at the airport have been growing by an average of one million per annum, and it would "strive" to have the pier operational by the end of 2004.
However, one source conceded that this timetable would depend on what political direction Aer Rianta received from the Minister prior to considering the matter at a board meeting later this month.
A consultative process on future plans is currently under way.
Ryanair was one of two appellants against Fingal County Council's decision last October to grant permission for the proposed Pier D, arguing that it made no sense.
The other appellant, mainly on noise grounds, was the Portmarnock Community Association.
The two-storey pier, with 12 aircraft parking stands, would be located north of the airport's original terminal building, which is a protected structure.
Designed by international architects Skidmore Owings and Merrill, it would be linked to the main terminal by an elevated glazed walkway curving around the old terminal.
The pier would provide departures and arrivals facilities on two levels, with ancillary support accommodation including immigration, catering and retail units.
The elevated access route would consist of segregated corridors for passengers who are departing and arriving and will be provided with moving walkways.
In reaching its decision, An Bord Pleanála had regard to the established use of Dublin Airport, the need to provide adequate facilities to meet recent and projected growth in air traffic and national policy - as set out in the National Spatial Strategy - which supports the airport's continued development.
Subject to compliance with seven conditions, it said the proposed development "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, would not seriously injure the visual integrity of the Old Central Terminal Building and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
The planning board decided not to accept the recommendation of its planning inspector that permission should be refused for the elevated access corridor to serve Pier D.
It argued that its location and design would define the formal open space in front of the old terminal building and would provide an opportunity to upgrade this area.
An Bord Pleanála ruled that all existing car-parking in this area, except for a small amount of space for disabled drivers and VIPs, would have to be "removed completely and relocated" and the area "suitably landscaped as an airport public amenity facility" to enhance the setting of the old terminal, in line with its original design.
Details of the materials, colours and textures of all the external finishes to Pier D must be submitted to Fingal County Council for agreement.
Aer Rianta must also notify the council and secure its agreement for any changes in the final design of the west end of the pier, in the event that a shorter length is chosen.
Aer Rianta is also required by the conditions to pay a sum of money to the council as a contribution towards the provision of public services which would facilitate the proposed development, including the north fringe sewer and improved roads infrastructure and traffic management and to provide adequate access to the airport.
Pier D would provide 12 "contact stands" for "quick turnaround" aircraft -- a net addition of eight after four existing stands are eliminated.
The cost of the project is put at €70 million, including million for an elevated walkway, which works out at €5.83 million per stand.
The closest gate on the pier would be at least 600 metres from the main terminal building and the furthest gate over 1 km away.
Ryanair's proposed independent terminal on the same site would provide 24 aircraft contact stands and 12 more in the second phase.
Because it would be a terminal, rather than merely another pier, the nearest gate would be only 63 metres from the check-in area.
The cost of the first phase of Ryanair's proposed terminal is estimated at 4 million, which works out at million per stand.
According to Aer Rianta, Pier D could be operational by the end of next year if it gets the go-ahead whereas a new terminal might take five years to build.