The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have today announced that they plan to progress with a new runway at Dublin Airport.
The airport celebrated their busiest ever year in 2015 as a record 25 million passengers travelled through the airport. Passenger numbers increased by 15% last year with an additional 3.3 million people using Dublin Airport during 2015.
The expansion was fuelled by 22 new routes and extra capacity on almost 40 existing services.
The 3,110 metre runway will be built 1.6km north of the existing main runway and is expected to be delivered in 2020. Dublin Airport is investing in the region of €320 million in this multi-faceted project which will comprise multiple contracts and packages of works.
Dublin Airport’s North Runway development has the potential to open up connectivity to a range of long-haul destinations, particularly in fast growing economies in Asia, Africa and South America. The delivery of a new runway could support a further 31,000 new jobs over the next two decades, contributing €2.2 billion to GDP according to the DAA.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe today commented, "This project is of major strategic importance to Ireland as an island economy, in terms of improved connectivity. It has the potential to create thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, over the coming years."
DAA Chief Executive, Kevin Toland added, "We are progressing our plans to deliver the new runway in accordance with the development and pathway for growth outlined in the Government’s National Aviation Policy (NAP). Dublin Airport’s North Runway will significantly improve Ireland’s connectivity supporting trade, foreign direct investment and tourism."
Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Ibec also welcomed the news today.
Source: www.businessworld.ie
