AER LINGUS HAS warned that Dublin Airport will see more and more delays as the number of passengers increases.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) today released its decision paper on increasing peak-hour capacity at the airport.
The CAR has decided that there will be one extra departure from Dublin in peak morning hours and a number of changes to takeoffs during the day.
The CAR has also approved:
“An increase in the hourly limit on the number of departing passengers in Terminals 1 and 2 from 3,375 and 3,450, respectively, to 3,700 in each and an increased hourly limit on the number of arriving passengers in Terminal 1 from 3,390 to 3,550.”
Five submissions – from Cathay Pacific, Icelandic Air, Dublin Airport, FedEx, and Lufthansa – supported the decision, but Aer Lingus says that it is against the plan.
In a statement, it said:
“Dublin Airport is already congested and the airfield, taxiway and stand capacity is inadequate to meet current traffic levels. Significant improvements need to be made to the existing infrastructure before any increase in capacity during the peak hours should be declared.
The CAR has itself acknowledged that an increase in the parameters determining capacity at Dublin will lead to an increase in airport related-delays which are already at an unacceptable level.
“These operational delays will have a disproportionate impact on Aer Lingus, which has increasing numbers of guests connecting at Dublin. This will also damage Dublin Airport’s reputation as a connecting hub for travel between Europe and North America.”
The airline said that delays could affect its expansion plans at the airport.
A DAA spokesperson said:
“The Commission for Aviation Regulation does not agree with the claims made by Aer Lingus given the decision that it made in relation to capacity.. The vast majority of airlines operating at Dublin Airport were in favour of the changes and regulator has supported their view.
“The decision by CAR will allow for increased competition between both new and existing airlines operating at Dublin, which is good news for passengers.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say