The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is planning to extend the Pier A area of Dublin airport in a fresh effort to ease congestion, it has emerged.
The airport authority, which last week reported a pretax profit of €41 million, is currently favourite to build new terminal facilities at the airport, although the Progressive Democrats are against the idea of the company operating the facility. In tender documentation circulated in recent days, builders are asked to bid for a contract for a "600 square metre building extension, including all building services, seating, associated internal alterations and ancillary works." The value of the contract has not been disclosed.
Pier A contains several departure gates, although it is unlikely the latest work will result in additional departure gates, said a DAA spokesman. The airport is facing a major challenge to keep congestion under control this summer.
A DAA spokesman said the extensions to Pier A would not be in place this year but would ultimately help to ease the airside burden at the airport.
The Cabinet met yesterday but failed to reach agreement on a new terminal for the airport. Sources suggest that tension over who will operate the new facility remains unresolved. The DAA is believed to strongly favour a site on the northern side of the airport, although the €80 million cost of clearing this site for development is regarded by many as a major disadvantage to this option.
Last week the chairman of the DAA, Gary McGann, said whoever built the new facility would have to raise airport charges.
The aviation regulator Bill Prasifka is currently considering the future regime of airport charges, although he may wait until the Government decides on the terminal before announcing his decision.
Mr Prasifka has the power to impose a statutory cap on airport charges at all three airports.
Members of the DAA have pointed out that major easing of congestion are unlikely for several years. This is because it will take at least three years to build a new terminal.
