[Article] Aer Rianta writes off Pier D plans

Victor

Aer Rianta secures permission to build Pier D
From:ireland.com
Tuesday, 1st April, 2003

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/459740?view=Eircomnet

An Bord Pleanála has given Aer Rianta permission to build a new landing facility at Dublin Airport.

The right to build and operate the facility and two-storey building known as Pier D has been much sought after.

Both Ryanair and the McEvaddy brothers who have a number of aviation interests including - plane-leasing company Omega Air - had expressed strong interest in the venture.

But An Bord Pleanala today turned down a Ryanair objection, and granted the semi-state body permission to build a facility with 12 new walk-on aircraft stands and an access corridor to the main terminal building.

Although Aer Rianta welcomed the news, no formal decision has yet been made by its board to go ahead with the €70 million scheme.

An Aer Rianta spokesman said he hoped the pier - which he described as a "major step forward" - would be built by the end of next year. "We need this capacity and we are hopeful that we can progress with it as quickly as possible," he said.

He said that although a second terminal would probably be required at the airport in the future Pier D, was still a necessity.

"It is badly needed," he added. "Dublin airport has the capacity for about 19 to 20 million [passengers per year] at the moment. Last year we were over 15 million and we are growing at the moment at an average of one million per year. So there is urgent capacity required".

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/463825?view=Eircomnet

Pier or terminal debate set to take off
From:ireland.com
Wednesday, 2nd April, 2003

TERMINAL CONFLICT/Aer Rianta v Ryanair: Plans for an independent terminal at Dublin Airport could affect the building of Pier D, writes Frank McDonald, Environment Editor

Ryanair is considering seeking a judicial review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to give Aer Rianta permission to build a new landing facility at Dublin Airport.

The new pier may never be built because the selected site might conflict with plans for an independent passenger terminal at the airport.

As proposed by Aer Rianta, the €70 million Pier D adjoining the original terminal building would occupy the site suggested by Ryanair as the most logical location for a second terminal to cater for "fast turnaround" air traffic.

Ryanair expressed regret yesterday at An Bord Pleanála's decision on Pier D. "This is a building that no one wants - it is nothing but a 'gold-plated palace', which the airline customers, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, have already objected to as being wasteful and unnecessary."

Saying that it would consider seeking a judicial review, it called on the Government to proceed instead with a new terminal.

"Aer Rianta's proposed Pier D is a blatant and profligate attempt to block the proposed site for the second terminal and should not be allowed to proceed."

While accepting that the airport is under pressure, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, has indicated that Aer Rianta should not enter into an irrevocable contract for the new pier until the tender process for the second terminal has been concluded.

Ryanair would be one of the frontrunners for the franchise to build and operate this terminal. However, its proposal for a new terminal and Aer Rianta's Pier D plan are clearly mutually exclusive options; only one or the other can be implemented.

Welcoming An Bord Pleanála's decision, Aer Rianta said the new pier was "urgently needed" given that passenger numbers at the airport have been growing by an average of one million per annum, and it would "strive" to have the pier operational by the end of 2004.

However, one source conceded that this timetable would depend on what political direction Aer Rianta received from the Minister prior to considering the matter at a board meeting later this month.

A consultative process on future plans is currently under way.

Ryanair was one of two appellants against Fingal County Council's decision last October to grant permission for the proposed Pier D, arguing that it made no sense.

The other appellant, mainly on noise grounds, was the Portmarnock Community Association.

The two-storey pier, with 12 aircraft parking stands, would be located north of the airport's original terminal building, which is a protected structure.

Designed by international architects Skidmore Owings and Merrill, it would be linked to the main terminal by an elevated glazed walkway curving around the old terminal.

The pier would provide departures and arrivals facilities on two levels, with ancillary support accommodation including immigration, catering and retail units.

The elevated access route would consist of segregated corridors for passengers who are departing and arriving and will be provided with moving walkways.

In reaching its decision, An Bord Pleanála had regard to the established use of Dublin Airport, the need to provide adequate facilities to meet recent and projected growth in air traffic and national policy - as set out in the National Spatial Strategy - which supports the airport's continued development.

Subject to compliance with seven conditions, it said the proposed development "would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, would not seriously injure the visual integrity of the Old Central Terminal Building and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".

The planning board decided not to accept the recommendation of its planning inspector that permission should be refused for the elevated access corridor to serve Pier D.

It argued that its location and design would define the formal open space in front of the old terminal building and would provide an opportunity to upgrade this area.

An Bord Pleanála ruled that all existing car-parking in this area, except for a small amount of space for disabled drivers and VIPs, would have to be "removed completely and relocated" and the area "suitably landscaped as an airport public amenity facility" to enhance the setting of the old terminal, in line with its original design.

Details of the materials, colours and textures of all the external finishes to Pier D must be submitted to Fingal County Council for agreement.

Aer Rianta must also notify the council and secure its agreement for any changes in the final design of the west end of the pier, in the event that a shorter length is chosen.

Aer Rianta is also required by the conditions to pay a sum of money to the council as a contribution towards the provision of public services which would facilitate the proposed development, including the north fringe sewer and improved roads infrastructure and traffic management and to provide adequate access to the airport.

Pier D would provide 12 "contact stands" for "quick turnaround" aircraft -- a net addition of eight after four existing stands are eliminated.

The cost of the project is put at €70 million, including million for an elevated walkway, which works out at €5.83 million per stand.

The closest gate on the pier would be at least 600 metres from the main terminal building and the furthest gate over 1 km away.

Ryanair's proposed independent terminal on the same site would provide 24 aircraft contact stands and 12 more in the second phase.

Because it would be a terminal, rather than merely another pier, the nearest gate would be only 63 metres from the check-in area.

The cost of the first phase of Ryanair's proposed terminal is estimated at 4 million, which works out at million per stand.

According to Aer Rianta, Pier D could be operational by the end of next year if it gets the go-ahead whereas a new terminal might take five years to build.

Victor

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Building of new terminal 'to start by Christmas'
From:The Irish Independent
Wednesday, 25th June, 2003
Senan Molony Political Correspondent

A PROPOSAL on the building of a new terminal at Dublin Airport will be brought to Cabinet in July, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said yesterday.

Mr Brennan is then likely to reconvene the Mullarkey Commission, which initially assessed the idea, for the independent selection of a winning bid.

The minister said he hoped builders could be on site by Christmas - but it would be up to the Commission to select exactly where that site should be.

A total of 13 expressions of interest were lodged when submissions were invited for the construction of the new terminal. While the issue did not come up at Cabinet yesterday, despite expectations, Mr Brennan said it had been discussed recently by ministers and his memorandum on the subject would be delivered next month.

He had no personal preference for any of the contending options, he said, and the commission, under former Secretary General Paddy Mullarkey, would have a wide brief in drawing up its recommendations.

Mr Brennan said he was conscious there had been delays in advancing the project and he was hopeful that the selection process could be completed quickly once formally referred.

dmeehan

my vote is for a new terminal as it will deliver more than 12 new gates

lets hope they palan ahead and include the possible provision of a rail/metro link to both terminals

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/2635737?view=Eircomnet

Ryanair loses challenge to second airport terminal
From:ireland.com
Friday, 27th February, 2004

Ryanair failed to get High Court permission yesterday to challenge a decision of An Bord Pleanala giving permission to Aer Rianta Cpt for a passenger aircraft pier at Dublin airport.

A decision by Fingal Co Council to grant permission had been appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Ryanair. The proposed development includes a link to the main terminal building from Pier D which is in the form of an elevated walkway.

Ryanair brought an application by way of judicial review seeking an order to quash An Bord Pleanala's decision. Ryanair complained that the walkway obscured the public view of the old terminal building which is stated to be a class one listed building under the County Development Plan.

Mr Justice Aindrias O Caoimh in a reserved judgment yesterday said Ryanair had failed to show substantial grounds that An Bord Pleanala's decision was invalid.

He did not accept that Ryanair had demonstrated substantial grounds for contending that Board had failed to comply with legislation on the basis that the Board did not indicate the main reasons why it did not accept a recommendation in the inspector's report.

Victor

http://www.rte.ie/business/2004/0527/aerrianta.html

Aer Rianta writes off Pier D plans
May 27, 2004 09:54

Aer Rianta is to write off €7m already invested in the development of extra terminal facilities at Dublin Airport, known as Pier D, which it is now understood will not go ahead.

Aer Rianta chairman Noel Hanlon said the decision is expected to be taken by the company next week.

The state airports' authority yesterday published what is expected to be its final group annual report, showing profits of just over €20m, down almost 44% on the previous year.

Aer Rianta blamed the fall in profits on the fixed level of landing charges at its airports, which is set by the Aviation Regulator, and a poor performance in some of its operations abroad.

Aer Rianta Chairman Noel Hanlon is coming to the end of his second term in the position. He said he was disappointed at the Government's plan to break up the company but said Aer Rianta had to go along with Government policy.

Victor

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/05/27/story149632.html

Ryanair calls for detailed analysis on Pier D
27/05/2004 - 14:41:08

Ryanair has called on the Government to proceed with the planned break-up of Aer Rianta after it was revealed that €7m has been written off by the company over the proposed Pier D extension to Dublin airport.

The low fares airlines was responding to yesterday's figures from Aer Rianta that saw a 44% reduction in profits during 2003.

Head of communications, Paul Fitzsimmons, said today: "Yesterday, Aer Rianta announced a write-off of an incredible €7m on the gold-plated Pier D plans, when not a single blade of grass has been touched.

"What exactly was the €7m spent on? The taxpayers of this country are entitled to an explanation and we are calling on the Department of Transport to immediately publish a detailed analysis," he added.

Victor

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/05/27/story149668.html

Chamber of Commerce calls for clarity on airport plans
27/05/2004 - 18:09:28

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has asked the Government to clarify its plans in relation to Dublin Airport.

It said today that the existing terminal would be unable to cope with demand if work does not begin on additional facilities soon.

This follows Aer Rianta’s announcement yesterday that the Government has instructed that no further development be done at the airport until a decision is made on a second terminal.

A spokesperson for the Chamber today said clarity is needed on the future development of the airport and called on the Minister for Transport to take the lead in this matter.

Victor

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Aer Rianta to abandon €60m plans
From:The Irish Independent
Friday, 4th June, 2004

AER Rianta is expected within the next few days to formally abandon plans to build the €60m Pier D terminal at Dublin Airport.

The airport authority wants Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to lift a statutory directive preventing it from proceeding with the project.

The previous Transport Minister, Mary O'Rourke, gave the go-ahead for the facility to allow low-cost airlines to turn their aircraft around quickly.

Aer Rianta will now have to abandon the terminal plans at a cost of €7m. The company says that if it had been allowed to proceed the pier would now be ready. It claims that the need for expanded facilities at Dublin Airport is now "urgent".

Frank Khan

Victor

http://www.thepost.ie/web/DocumentView/did-276004072-pageUrl--2FThe-Newspaper-2FSundays-Paper.asp

Aer Rianta seeks €8 million payback
27/06/04 00:00
By Louise McBride

Aer Rianta is seeking to recover the €8 million in costs incurred in the abandoned Pier D facility at Dublin Airport, according to senior sources within the company.

This weekend, the semi-state company wrote to the Department of Transport requesting that it be repaid the costs in the aborted project, The Sunday Business Post has learned.

Aer Rianta was forced to abandon the project following a directive from the Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan, according to a senior Aer Rianta source.

The former Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke, had previously given the green light to build Pier D.

"One minister gave the go-ahead to Pier D while the next didn't," said the source. "The cost incurred so far is directly as a result of statutory directives."

About €8 million was spent on Pier D over the past three years, primarily on preparatory work, engineering and design, and other decisions related to its development.

The legislation to break up Aer Rianta and set up the alternative Dublin Airport Authority was published last Tuesday. Although the board is not expected to be dissolved until April 2005, government sources have said that the new boards will have operational control over the airports once the legislation is passed on July 8.

Aer Rianta chairman, Noel Hanlon, has described the legislation as `draconian'. The company's board will meet early this week to discuss the legislation and any action that it may take.

Meanwhile, Peter Dunne, a worker director of Aer Rianta, has called on the Tanaiste Mary Harney to apologise for her claim that the worker directors of the semi-state company agreed to the sale of 40 per cent of Aer Rianta to the private sector.

``This was a typical attempt of the Tanaiste to sully the good name and efforts of Aer Rianta worker directors,'' he said.

``This allegation, which is discrediting me, has already been refuted by the chairman.'' Dunne said the break up of Aer Rianta has been pushed through the Dail.

``Vested interests are raping Aer Rianta and taxpayers for their own personal gain,'' he said. ``We weren't consulted on any of the legislation and this legislation is simply damaging the business of Aer Rianta.''

The Green Party also voiced its opposition to the planned break-up of Aer Rianta last week.

``The proposed break-up will end Ireland's best example of how public enterprise can work,'' said Eamon Ryan, the Green Party's transport spokesman.

``Aer Rianta lost the public's confidence because of the recent chaotic queues in Dublin Airport but the blame for this goes to the Fianna Fail/PD government who refused to make the infrastructural investment that was called for.''

thejollyrodger

so they are not going ahead with this "Pier D" and instead are going ahead with a full terminal.

Sounds like sense has prevailed. I cant belive Aer Rianta were thinking of going ahead with that "D gate". It would resulted in not being able properly expand the airports capacity.

They should be building terminals not mickey mouse reactive paddy planning. Werent the Mcevady brothers intrested in building their own full terminal ? Well they should go ahead with that 3rd terminal as well and a second runway also.

De Rebel

Originally posted by thejollyrodger
They should be building terminals not mickey mouse reactive paddy planning. Werent the Mcevady brothers intrested in building their own full terminal ? Well they should go ahead with that 3rd terminal as well and a second runway also.

They should go much further than that. The planning horizon for an airport should be 30-50 years. Dublin airport is an inelegant inefficient mess. The current 3.5 pier layout is a shambles and is no basis for the future. Whether the next addition is another pier or another terminal is irrelevant. The whole should be replaced and demolished. This approach has been taken in a number of other cities as diverse as Hong Kong and Denver. A new airport, possibly using the existing runway (and a second one) is what is required. But strategic planning of that sort is way beyond the comprehension of brennan, hanlon, o'leary et al.