DAA WANTS TO SPEND MORE THAN THE COST OF 2x CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS JUST SO THEY CAN DOUBLE PASSENGER FEES BY 2031

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (25 June) called on Micheál “Do Nothing” Martin to block the DAA’s €5.6bn Capital Investment Plan (more than the cost of 2x Children’s Hospitals) that will allow DAA double fees from €20 to €40 per departing passenger by 2031, while delivering no new runway, no new terminal, and no meaningful capacity growth at Dublin Airport.

DAA has repeatedly shown it cannot deliver efficient airport infrastructure. In 2007, despite warnings, DAA built Terminal 2 in a cul-de-sac. Now they want to “expand” Terminal 2 by demolishing multiple existing cargo areas and office buildings – facilities already paid for by airlines – and waste another €1bn building a new pier, off T2 that adds just three new widebody aircraft stands. They also want to add an unnecessary 3^rd floor to Pier 1 and install airbridges that won’t be used by Ryanair who deliver 80% of the passengers in Pier 1. This plan is mad!!

DAA does not need to waste €5.6bn to deliver growth. Dublin Airport already has a second runway, and with efficient, low-cost terminal facilities, it could grow to 60m passengers p.a. for less than one tenth of this proposed €5.6bn cost, while lowering passenger charges. Instead, DAA’s plan will make Dublin one of Europe’s most expensive, least competitive airports, damaging Irish traffic, tourism, jobs, and connectivity.

Micheál “Do Nothing” Martin should insist that the DAA monopoly stops wasting billions on “inflation” and “contingencies” and instead delivers efficient low-cost airport facilities, at lower charges, so airlines can deliver lower fares and new route growth for Ireland.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

“Airlines and passengers should not be forced to pay for the DAA’s €5.6bn “waste” plan – a 640-page lunatic proposal designed to “game” the regulatory system to double DAA’s passenger fees by 2031 while delivering zero growth at Dublin Airport. The DAA don’t need to waste 2x the cost of a Children’s Hospital, just so they can raise prices.

Spending over €1bn to demolish buildings (that were already paid for by airlines) to add just three widebody stands is indefensible, as is spending €700m to add a 3^rd floor and airbridges to Pier 1 when these won’t be used by Ryanair who deliver over 80% of Pier 1 traffic. Not to mention spending €146m on a bus stop, €61m on EV chargers, €7m on wildflowers, €640m for inflation and €870m for “contingencies” – just in case the DAA get it wrong yet again.

This DAA plan is just more wasteful spending that Micheál “Do Nothing” Martin is presiding over, just as he did with the €2.6bn wasted on the National Children’s Hospital and the €335,000 wasted on the Dáil bike shed. Micheál “Do Nothing” Martin should now “do something” to block the DAA’s indefensible €5.6bn “waste” plan. Stop DAA doubling passenger fees, and require the DAA to deliver low-cost, efficient airport facilities that supports lower fares, and more traffic, tourism, and jobs growth for Ireland.”