Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dublin Airport.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the degree to which maximum through flow of passengers has been achieved at Dublin Airport; the degree to which spare capacity in respect of passengers and baggage exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8529/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

118 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which spare capacity exists in respect of freight transport at Dublin Airport and other airports throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8538/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 111 and 118 together.

The provision of passenger and freight handling facilities at the three State airports is a day-to-day matter for Aer Rianta. Freight facilities at the six privately owned regional airports are a matter for the relevant airport authorities.

In the case of Dublin Airport, I am informed by Aer Rianta that the new extended passenger terminal which is currently being completed, including its baggage systems, will have a capacity to cater for 20 million passengers per annum. This compares with a passenger throughput at Dublin Airport last year of approximately 13.8 million. Aer Rianta also informs me that given the con tinued growth in freight business, the current cargo facilities at Dublin Airport are becoming congested at peak business times. Aer Rianta is taking steps towards a more active approach to traffic management at these peak times on the landside of the airport in order to achieve a more streamlined traffic flow. In relation to longer term developments, Aer Rianta is currently involved in consultations with airport users to ensure that Dublin Airport is positioned to meet future passenger and cargo needs.

With regard to freight handling capacity at the other State airports, Aer Rianta informs me that the existing cargo facilities at Cork Airport are adequate to meet current demand. For the longer term, Aer Rianta has a 40 acre site which it plans to develop for cargo and other purposes as part of its overall investment programme at Cork Airport. Current cargo facilities at Shannon are coming under pressure as a result of the strong growth in the freight sector. However, Aer Rianta's ongoing capital investment programme at Shannon is designed to ensure that future freight traffic demand will be adequately met.

Freight traffic is not a major sector of activity at most of the six regional airports and I am not aware of any capacity problems for freight handling at those airports.