Aer Lingus today confirmed it will transfer its operations to the new Terminal 2 (T2) at Dublin airport, after the Aviation Regulator reiterated its decision not to impose differential passenger charges between the airport’s two terminals.
However Ryanair is considering appealing the Regulator’s determination for a second time.
Last month the Aviation Appeals Panel upheld a complaint from the budget carrier and recommended passengers using the new terminal should pay a different charge to those travelling through the existing Terminal 1. This ruling threw the proposed opening of the €609 million T2 in November into doubt, as Aer Lingus (which is earmarked as T2’s anchor tenant) warned it would not move to the new terminal if differential pricing were introduced.
After considering the appeals panel’s recommendation, the Commission on Aviation Regulation (CAR) today reconfirmed its original position, saying it will not require the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to impose differential pricing between terminals.
Ryanair condemned the Regulator, which it said ignored the appeals panel’s ruling. The Michael O’Leary-led airline said its lawyers are studying the CAR’s decision. "If they find that there are strong grounds for appeal, they will appeal," it said.
The DAA welcomed the CAR’s decision and said it reflects the wishes of the majority of airlines that use Dublin airport, as well as representative bodies from the business and tourism sectors. "The fairest way for passengers to pay for standard airport services is through a single charge whereby all passengers pay the same fee to use the same core services," it said.