Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the Dublin Airport Authority continues to ensure the smooth, effective and efficient running of the airport as passenger numbers increase in the aftermath of Covid-19 lockdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe passenger experience at Dublin Airport recently has fallen far short of the service that passengers should expect at our largest State airport. The daa has statutory responsibility to operate and manage Dublin Airport including all the operations associated with security screening at the Airport.
Following the unacceptable level of service experienced by passengers on Sunday, 29 May, I re-established daily meetings with the CEO and senior management in the daa. I conveyed to the daa my disappointment and frustration at the situation and emphasised the importance of daa setting out a detailed plan to address the situation and the urgent need to restore passenger confidence in Dublin airport.
daa outlined their plan and operational changes in advance of the bank holiday weekend which included maximising the availability of staff resources; increasing the number of security lanes open at peak times; and improving queue management. While the bank holiday weekend was extremely busy, queues moved smoothly with no reports of flights missed.
I am continuing to engage with the daa on their resourcing plan and the passenger experience at Dublin airport and am emphasising the importance of the Airport reassuring passengers that they are doing everything they can to deliver an acceptable passenger experience for all those departing from the airport.
Though challenges remain, the daa has advised that the measures they have taken will substantially mitigate risk into the busy summer period where passenger numbers are expected to increase by a further 10%. Should unanticipated issues arise, daa now has appropriate escalation and triage mechanisms focused on ensuring no passengers will miss their flights.
Minister Ryan and I will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and weeks and continue to engage with both the executive and chair of the daa to ensure that all that can be done is being done for passengers using Dublin Airport and to ensure that the reputational damage to the country from a business, travel, connectivity and tourism point of view is repaired.
