Enabling works are due to start later this year with construction of the north runway scheduled to start in 2017. The project will support about 1,200 jobs during its development as well as generating significant employment opportunities in the local supply chain for construction materials.
The 3,110m 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 €320m in the project, which will comprise multiple contracts and packages of works.
Dublin Airport received planning permission in August 2007 to build a new runway, but the plans were put on hold due to the economic downturn and subsequent fall in passenger numbers.
However, the recovery in passenger numbers, particularly in the past two years, has been significant. The continuation of growth at Dublin Airport is dependent on having sufficient capacity available to satisfy future demand.
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“Last year was the busiest year ever in the airport’s history with a record 25 million passengers travelling in 2015,” said chief executive Kevin Toland. Passenger numbers continue to grow strongly in 2016 with double digit growth recorded in the first two months of this year.”
He 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.”
The current planning permission was granted with 31 conditions attached. “We have stated previously that two of these conditions are onerous and would severely reduce the future operational capacity of the airport at key periods,” said Toland. “This has implications on our ability to support future traffic growth at the airport and we are looking at how this can be addressed.”
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