Dublin Airport's expansion plans formally objected to by Limerick Chamber

LIMERICK Chamber has formally objected to controversial plans to expand Dublin Airport to allow it to welcome 40 million passengers a year.

The largest business representative organisation in the region has put in a formal submission to Dublin Airport Authority’s plans to expand on land to the airport’s north and south and extend terminal one.

In the lengthy communication with Fingal County Council, whose local planners will decide on the application in the first instance, Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan said expanding the capital’s airport is wrong when there is “significant under-utilised capacity in other State-owned airports.”

She is referring to Cork and Shannon.

Ms Ryan added: “Limerick Chamber has long been calling for national aviation policy to be updated as it is out of touch with the goals of Project Ireland 2040 and the Climate Action Plan.”

She acknowledged the national importance of Dublin Airport, but said it is time other airports around Ireland were expanded - in particular Shannon.

She says the local airport has the capacity to handle three million extra passengers annually.

“This would take them from their current levels of 1.9million passengers to their maximum capacity at five million.”

“Multiple studies have evidenced the link between international connectivity in regional airports and regional economic growth.

"We know that business routes, specific strategic routes that support clusters of industry, translate into investment and more opportunities that’s why we advocate for better connectivity for Shannon,” said the chief executive.

Ms Ryan said the starting point for passenger growth across regional airports must come with a review of national aviation policy.

“Limerick Chamber have been vocal advocates for this over a number of years,” she said, adding when Ireland compares to other European countries in terms of its airports, there is “capital domination.”

In Ireland, 85% of flights into the country land in Dublin, while in Switzerland, this number falls to just 55% going to its hub airport of Zurich.

“We can’t continue this unrestricted growth at Dublin Airport and Fingal County Council must take a broader view of the overall national aviation landscape when they are adjudicating on this expansion application,” Ms Ryan said.

Limerick Chamber stated a strong interconnected network of international airports is vital for both businesses and the wider economy.

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It warned that if this goes unaddressed, Ireland 2040 - which envisages a doubling of Limerick’s population in 16 years - could become “an unrealised dream.”

Limerick Chamber has 400 businesses among its membership.

Between these, up to 50,000 people are employed.

Its submission also highlighted the issues around public transport to and from Dublin Airport.

The introduction of Metro North, they said, is a vital tool, if Dublin Airport wants to expand.

No decision date for the planning application is available from Fingal County Council as of yet.