Vol. 563 No. 1
190 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to avert repeated chaos at Dublin Airport in summer in the area of check-in and ground handling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7135/03]
Aer Rianta has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of the State airports, including Dublin Airport.
With the completion early last year of the new terminal extension, Dublin Airport now has terminal capacity to handle up to 20 million passengers per annum. This compares with a throughput of just over 15 million passengers in 2002.
Airlines are responsible for checking in passengers and delivering baggage from the plane to the baggage hall. Check-in at Dublin Airport is undertaken by the airlines or their designated ground handling agent. Airlines have a choice of handling agents at Dublin Airport. Ground handling companies at Dublin Airport are approved by the Commission for Aviation Regulation and are contracted to the airline directly.
Last year Aer Rianta introduced a by-law which set standards for check-in, covering both the opening time and the number of check-in desks to be available for each flight. Adherence by airlines or their ground handling agents to these standards will serve to reduce queuing time and increase passenger comfort when checking in for their flights.
Aer Rianta informs me that the director of Dublin Airport and his staff continually manage and monitor service standards for passengers. Aer Rianta has also established a passenger services council the prime objective of which is to promote continuous improvement in passenger service levels at Dublin Airport.
Questions Nos. 191 and 192 answered with Question No. 147.
