New planning delay blow to airport plans

AN Bord Pleanala is set to delay a long-awaited decision on a second passenger terminal for Dublin Airport.

Airport authorities now face a race against time to have the much-needed facility open for business in time for the 2010 summer season.

The planning board was due to decide on the €395m development "no later than August 4". However, it is understood it has now revised this to mid-September.

This means the terminal's November 2009 deadline will be missed by up to six months, with a September decision implying a May 2010 opening date.

And the delays could cost the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) several million euro, the Irish Independent has learned.

And even if permission is granted, Ryanair has already indicated it will seek a judicial review of the decision which could further delay the project.

However, it is understood that a legal challenge will not stop construction works.

An airport spokesman said he had no knowledge of any delay, adding: "The company has not had any recent communication from the board and for the sake of all customers the DAA hopes to receive a positive planning outcome within the next few days."

A six-week delay would cost several million euro.

But if the project is further delayed, either through a planning decision being postponed or, in a worst case scenario, refused, it could have significantly wider implications.

Impact

A lengthy delay could also have a significant impact on the timing of the eventual opening.

The DAA originally planned to open the terminal in November so that it would become operational during a quiet period of the aviation year.

Assuming planning permission is granted in mid-September (not early August), that opening date becomes close to May 2010, which is the beginning of the busy season. However, if planning permission was to be delayed by a further few months, the DAA could find itself opening its terminal in the peak season of June or July 2010, which would present many logistical challenges.

DAA chairman Gary McCann has previously said the authority needed "planning clarity" by the end of last June so the second terminal would meet its November 2009 deadline.

He said delays would cost the airport authority up to €3m a month.

However, the deadline was since changed to March 2010, but now it has emerged that delays could delay the project by at least another three months.

The 75,000 square metre complex will take 30 months to build and now airport bosses face the nightmarish scenario of having to open the terminal just as the 2010 summer season kicks off.

Designed to cater for 15m passengers a year, it will provide relief for hard-pressed travellers who are currently forced to use an airport operating above capacity.

Paul Melia and Laura Noonan
Irish Independent