Latest news with #KennyJacobs
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Dublin Airport wins approval to increase night-time flights despite local backlash
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
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
DAA chief told minister he had ‘no conflict of interest' to declare despite airline shares
Dublin Airport Authority chief executive Kenny Jacobs failed to declare his private airline investments to the Department of Transport when joining the board of the State company, despite then minister Eamon Ryan directly asking him to set out any potential conflicts. Mr Jacobs, a former Ryanair executive, took command of DAA for a seven-year term in January 2023, joining its board as an ex officio director. He later told an Oireachtas committee of his shares in multiple airlines operating in Dublin Airport but said there was no conflict of interest. Although Mr Ryan had asked Mr Jacobs to set out any potential conflicts when appointing him to the board, the department has now said he didn't disclose any: 'Mr Jacobs advised then minister for transport Eamon Ryan when accepting the position that he had no conflict of interest to declare.' Mr Jacobs told an Oireachtas committee in June 2024 that he owned shares in 12 airlines with Dubin Airport operations but believed there was no conflict of interest. READ MORE 'Given it's 12 different airlines who are all customers of Dublin Airport, I don't think it's a conflict,' he told the committee. 'I think owning 12 – not owning one or two in particular – I don't think is a conflict.' Two days later, it emerged that Mr Jacobs owned shares in three big airline groups – Ryanair, IAG and Lufthansa – which own multiple subsidiary carriers operating in Dublin Airport. IAG subsidiaries include Aer Lingus. The department was replying to questions from The Irish Times after releasing papers on Mr Jacobs's appointment to north Co Dublin campaigners against airport night flights and the new north runway. St Margaret's the Ward Residents' Association sought the files under the Freedom of Information Act. [ 'We're blasted out of it': Living under Dublin Airport's flight paths Opens in new window ] They include Mr Jacobs's letter of appointment to the DAA board from Mr Ryan, the leader of the Green Party and transport minister in the last government. Mr Ryan asked Mr Jacobs to tell the department of 'any matter(s) that could potentially cause a conflict of interest for you in the role'. The records suggested Mr Jacobs did not declare any conflict, prompting the residents' group to question the department. An official replied: 'There was no conflict of interest brought to the attention of the department by any director at DAA.' [ Kenny Jacobs' €374,830 salary is a soft target; the problem lies elsewhere Opens in new window ] Liam O'Gradaigh, the residents' group spokesman who made the Freedom of Information application, said the lack of disclosure by Mr Jacobs was deeply concerning. 'It is quite clear that Mr Jacobs was obliged to bring to the attention of the Minister and his department any potential conflicts of interest,' Mr O'Gradaigh said. 'We know that Mr Jacobs has shareholdings in 12 airlines that operate out of Dublin Airport, yet he did not bring this to the attention of either the Minister or his department.' Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary (left) in 2014 with Kenny Jacobs, then chief marketing officer with the airline. Photograph: Eric Luke Mr Ryan had no comment for this piece when asked whether Mr Jacobs should have declared the shares. Replying to questions, the department said incoming DAA directors were 'invited' to disclose any potential conflict of interest at the time of their appointment. Referring to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) , the department said it was for individuals to make statements of interest under the Ethics in Public Office Act. 'It is a matter for the board of DAA to manage any potential conflict of interest with a director.' [ More than 150 staff at airport operator Daa earned over €150,000 last year, with one receiving over €450,000 Opens in new window ] DAA did not reply to questions about Mr Jacobs's failure to disclose his airline shares to the minister. The company reissued a statement it put out in June 2024: 'Mr Jacobs holds legacy shareholdings in three airline groups that predate his joining DAA. These holdings, which remain unchanged, were fully disclosed by Mr Jacobs in all returns made to Sipo since taking up the CEO role.' The company also reissued a statement made then by DAA chairman Basil Geoghegan saying Mr Jacobs 'has complied with the relevant corporate governance and state ethics disclosure requirements'.
Irish Examiner
04-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Irish passengers see further 14 flights from Dublin cancelled due to French strike
Passengers heading off on summer holidays faced a second day of disruption today due to air traffic control strikes in France. The Dublin Airport Authority (daa) said that 14 flights in and out of Dublin were cancelled early today, following 20 flights being cancelled on Thursday. Travellers would also be hit by knock-on delays arising from the cancellations, it warned. It said passengers would also be affected by a ground strike in Finland, and urged passengers due to fly over mainland Europe to check directly with their airline. Unions representing air traffic controllers in France have said its members were striking over persistent understaffing, outdated equipment and a toxic management culture. Speaking on RTÉ radio, the chief executive of Cork and Dublin Airports said that Europe needs to take action to prevent ongoing disruption. 'This is the annual ransom by a very small group of French air traffic controllers,' Kenny Jacobs said. 'About 50 air traffic controllers in Paris have disrupted the plans of over half a million European travellers on the big exodus where everyone goes on their holidays and it's simply unacceptable.' Mr Jacobs said it was 'very unfair' to Irish families flying to Faro wondering why they're facing a four-to-six-hour delay because 'they're not going to France, but they're flying over France'. "The key thing that Europe needs to do is say to the French, flights over France cannot be disrupted if you're having a strike, that's your problem," he said. Ryanair, meanwhile, continued to criticise European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the impact of the strikes, as it said it was forced to cancel 400 flights across the two days affecting 70,000 passengers. 'Over 350 of these are overflights, which could and should be protected by the EU Commission,' Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said. 'The bizarre justification for this week's ATC strike is their objection to 'short staffing'. Every year they find something new to strike about."
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Dublin Airport reveal how new hotel will look when finished with ‘great airfield views' and top floor bar
DUBLIN Airport has revealed how a new on-site hotel will look when it's finished with "great airfield views" and a top floor bar. Sofitel is a luxury hotel brand that is set to open on-site in the next two years' time. 2 Dublin Airport will be opening a new hotel by 2026 Credit: Facebook Known for its blend of These hotels can be found in major cities around the world such as New York, Paris and The Facebook post said: "It's not just the planes flying up around here. "Work on the new 11-storey Read more in Travel "The hotel will offer 412 rooms when it's finished… not to mention great views of the airfield from the bar on the top floor!" So far, The Sofitel will have 412 bedrooms, an all-day restaurant and be directly linked to Terminal 2. And it will be opening on site by late 2026. Most read in News Travel The hotel will also feature a tea salon and a sky bar on the 11th floor that offers airfield views. Dublin Airport reveal the do's and don'ts of security, including what you can bring on holiday - and it may shock you And the developer for this project is the Arora Group, a franchise partner of Accor in the UK and the owner of both the Sofitel London Heathrow Airport and the Sofitel London Gatwick Airport. Arora was awarded the opportunity to develop this over €100million hotel in 2018 as part of a competitive bidding process conducted by daa, the operator of Sofitel will also feature an executive lounge, a fitness centre, and extensive meeting and event spaces, which will include a ballroom and eight flexible meeting rooms. Holidaymakers took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts. One person said: "Great to see this, it's badly needed." Another said: "Another spotters area!" Someone else wrote: "Good meeting hall." Meanwhile, over 121,000 passengers per day are This The destinations cover up to 130 top destinations in Due to the greater demands, the officials stated that they aim for at least 90 per cent of passengers to get through security screening in under 20 minutes, similar to last summer. This came after DAA announced that the security staff had increased by more than 1,000. However, Terminal 1 requires tech and liquids to be taken out, while Terminal 2 requires passengers to keep their tech in luggage but take out liquids for scanning at security. DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs revealed that the new ruling by the 2 Sofitel is a luxury French hotel brand with proprieties across the world Credit: Facebook
The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Dublin Airport confirm major new improvements to both terminals amid liquid rule shake-up hint before record summer
OVER 121,000 passengers per day are expected to travel through Dublin Airport during the busy travel season. Advertisement 1 Dublin Airport has announced new improvements to both terminals ahead of summer Credit: Dublin Airport This The destinations cover up to 130 top destinations in Due to the greater demands, the officials stated that they aim for at least 90 per cent of passengers to get through security screening in under 20 minutes, similar to last summer. This came after DAA announced that the security staff had increased by more than 1,000. Advertisement READ MORE ON DUBLIN AIRPORT However, Terminal 1 requires tech and liquids to be taken out, while Terminal 2 requires passengers to keep their tech in luggage but take out liquids for scanning at security. DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs revealed that the new ruling by the And there are changes to the terminals that will be underway to meet the demands, including more seating, water refill stations and Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Exclusive A further 1,000 seats for passengers throughout the terminals have been added, including 420 new seats at boarding gates, over 100 comfortable dwell seats with charging facilities, 150 seats for People with Reduced Mobility, and 350 new seats in landside areas. Dublin Airport announce arrival of two new food options ahead of busy summer season as passengers say it 'looks lovely' 23 of the free water refill stations in both terminals have been replaced by new and improved units in time for summer. ENTERTAINMENT AREAS Three new kids' entertainment areas have been added at Departure Gates in T1 and T2, bringing the total to five across both terminals. A gaming zone for teens containing game consoles will be added later in the summer. Advertisement The Pet Relief room in Terminal 2 has been fully upgraded for passengers travelling with service and emotional support animals. A second Pet Relief room is also being added on Pier 2 in Terminal 1 and will open later this year. A new Dublin Airport app has been launched, which features real-time flight updates for arrivals and departures, security wait times and details about gate numbers and check-in areas. There are also 15 new and improved outlets for passengers, including Arthur Guinness Bar, Pret A Manger, Boxx, Kimbok and The Garden Terrace in Terminal 1, which will be followed in mid-summer by the brand new San Marco Italian sit-down restaurant. Advertisement In Terminal 2, the newly opened Roasted Notes and Butler's cafes will soon be joined by a new Irish bar and a wine bar called The Reserve (both airside). Lastly, the Liffey Lounge and the Martello Lounge both fully revamped. TRAVEL ADVICE The DAA chiefs have issued travel advice for passengers ahead of the busy summer season. Passengers are advised to be in their terminal two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. Advertisement They are also urged to check in with their airline when available to do so and see if night-before bag check-in is possible to reduce the waiting times at the airport. For those who are driving to Dublin Airport, the advice is to book in advance due to demand.
