Donal Carey
Question:85 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has examined the Aer Rianta proposals regarding the future of Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32172/01]
Written Answers. - State Airports.
Aer Rianta's proposals in relation to the three State airports are in the first instance a matter for Aer Rianta, which has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the airports and to provide such facilities and services as it considers necessary for aircraft and passengers. The three State airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork are a vital part of the national transportation infrastructure and perform a vital function as major access points for business and tourism. The State airports have seen a dramatic growth in passenger traffic in recent years, rising by 50% since 1996 to almost 18 million passengers last year.
Dublin Airport accounts for the bulk of the traffic through the State airports. The major extension of the terminal building at the airport is now in place and the integration of this with the older part of the terminal building is scheduled for completion in February. The new enlarged terminal will allow Dublin Airport to cater for up to 20 million passengers annually as against the 14 million passengers using the facility last year. Shannon Airport has a new terminal building which was completed last year with the aim of doubling the annual capacity of the airport to 4.5 million passengers annually.
Aer Rianta will also proceed next year with its major capital investment programme at Cork Airport at an estimated cost of £86 million, 109 million, to provide major new infrastructure and facilities including a major terminal extension and multi-storey car park.
Aer Rianta is continuing to plan for the ongoing provision of adequate infrastructure at our airports to cater for traffic, particularly in the second half of the decade. This type of advance planning and preparatory work is vital because of the long lead times involved with major projects and of the need to plan sufficiently well in advance so as to have additional infrastructure available when required.