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Dublin Airport Delivers New Check-in Area

The Dublin Airport Authority formally unveiled its newest check-in area today, Wednesday, 4th April 2007.

Check-in Area 14 represents the first major piece of additional capacity for passengers using T1.   The capacity of Area 14 at just over 1,000 sq m is approx quarter of the existing Departures Floor. 

This new facility is capable of handling up to 4 million passengers a year and will ease congestion considerably on the Departures Floor.

The DAA also confirmed that Aer Lingus will be the sole user of Area 14.  The airline plans to check in close to half its departing passengers through the new facility this year.  Following a period of trialling, the new area will become fully operational in time for the peak Summer months.

The new facility was delivered on time and on budget at a cost of €15 million.

Speaking at the launch of Area 14, Director of Dublin Airport, Robert Hilliard said “We believe we have created an impressive and vibrant new check-in facility.  The delivery of Area 14 is the first of a number of significant projects that will radically change the passenger experience at Dublin Airport over the next three years.

Pier D, with its 12 new boarding gates will open in the Autumn. We are currently seeking planning for an extension to T1 which will open before the end of next year and, subject to planning, the airport’s second passenger terminal, T2, will begin construction this summer for delivery before the end of 2009.”

Dublin Airport expects 14.5 million passengers to travel between April and October this year - a 7% increase over same period in 2006.  The airport will handle close to 1m additional passengers during this 7-month period including 2 million passengers a month between May and September.    Fourteen new routes/services have already started operating to date this year, and a further 10 are due to commence between May and August.

The DAA outlined a number of measures to help facilitate the additional volume of passengers this Summer, such as:

• Full slot co -ordination – coordinated airports are better able to manage the peak arrival and departure times of aircraft, thereby easing some of the pressure on passengers at peak periods.
• 2 new Security Channels bringing the total in Pier A to 11 and overall to 18.
• 100 additional security staff currently being trained – 520 in total
• Delivery of 4,000 new passenger trolleys
• €10m recently invested in upgraded car and coach park
• Over 2,000 new long-term car park spaces
• Major upgrading of catering outlets on Mezzanine Floor, which will be delivered in time for the Summer season.

Today’s unveiling of Area 14 also sees the launch of a new direct information campaign by the DAA to passengers travelling through Dublin Airport. Called  “Transforming Dublin Airport,” this campaign will inform passengers about the DAA’s detailed plans to expand and radically improve passenger facilities at the airport over the next three years and beyond.

The campaign will use large posters and banners around the airport to show the new check-in, pier and terminal facilities that will come on stream over the next three years, up to and including T2.  Other direct information channels will also be used including brochures – 100,000 will be distributed directly to passengers over the next two weeks – airport information screens, the DAA and Dublin Airport websites and targeted media advertising. 

Ends
4th April, 2007

Editor’s Note:
•Main contractor: PJ Hegarty & Sons
•Architects: Moloney O'Beirne & Capita Ruddle Wilkinson in association with Pinniger & Partners
•Lighting by: Gillespie UK
•Lighting unique to Dublin Airport
•Custom made
•56 ceiling disk lights

Further information contact:
Siobhán Moore – 087.2710065
Vincent Wall – 087.6860727