Dublin Airport wins approval to increase night-time flights despite local backlash

Irish Examiner

7 days ago

Dublin Airport has been given permission to increase the number of night-time flights, as An Coimisiún Pleanála reversed an earlier draft decision to limit these flights.
The decision will also allow the north runway of the airport to be used up to midnight and from 6am, rather than the original permission of up to 11pm and from 7am.
Last September, the planning board said it would limit the number of flights arriving and taking off between 11pm and 7am to 13,000 'movements' per annum, in a move criticised by DAA as 'contradictory' and a 'backwards step.'
However, in its final decision issued on Thursday, it changed this to 35,672 'night-time aircraft movements.'
Furthermore, a noise quota scheme will also apply to aircraft using the north runway, which may limit the types of aircraft that can be used, depending on how noisy they are.
An Coimisiún Pleanála said this would allow for 'airport growth while providing an essential safeguard against excessive night-time activity.'
'The cap also accommodates historic slots and future flexibility,' it said.
'The inclusion of an air traffic movement cap was considered a necessary and proportionate additional operating restriction to ensure that the overall noise environment would not deteriorate and that the increase in nighttime flights would not result in significant adverse effects on the surrounding population and environment.'
A local residents' group, however, has described the new decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála as 'devastating' and said it amounts to a 'capitulation' from the planning board.
They also said it doesn't address the noise issues plaguing locals near the airport.
The issue first came before An Coimisiún Pleanála on foot of an application for a 'relevant action' by DAA to fundamentally alter the planning permission restrictions placed on the airport when the new north runway came into use three years ago.
It was initially approved by Fingal County Council before being appealed to the planning board by groups including Friends of the Irish Environment in August 2022.
While the planning board has now made its decision, it remains open to a Judicial Review challenging its findings.
In a statement, DAA said it welcomed the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála regarding extended hours for the north runway and the introduction of an annual noise quota.
'North Runway is a critical enabler for the growth of Dublin Airport,' said DAA chief Kenny Jacobs. 'We welcome the clarity today's decision brings... [and] reaffirm our clear commitment to engaging with the local community to mitigate the impact of airport operations.'
While DAA expressed disappointment over the imposition of an annual cap of 35,672 night-time aircraft movements in addition to the noise quota, the decision removes a major hurdle to its Infrastructure Application (IA), which seeks permission to grow annual passenger numbers to 40 million.
'Today's decision is also key to unlocking the block preventing FCC from progressing our application to build the piers and stands needed," Mr Jacods said.
"We need to start building — that's our biggest issue, and we need planning permission to do that,' Mr Jacobs said.
He also welcomed the government's plan to address the existing passenger cap through legislation, calling for 'bold, ambitious steps... for our small, open, island economy.'
Read More
Ukrainians may be allowed stay in Ireland once directive expires